Toft Monks residents have expressed concerns regarding the planning application for the Field of Dreams caravan site.
The application, submitted retrospectively by Mr. Childs, seeks approval from South Norfolk Council to convert agricultural land at Field Barn Farm on Pound Lane into a small campsite with five caravan and motorhome pitches.
According to Eastern Daily Press, the plans also include a storage building, a hard surface, and two new toilet and shower units.
The site, currently operating as a certified location for the Caravan and Motorhome Club, has prompted objections from Toft Monks Parish Council and neighboring residents. Concerns focus on traffic safety, noise, and potential road damage.
Critics argue the increased traffic from caravans and motorhomes would strain the single-track road, which lacks pavements and features blind corners.
In its formal response, the parish council remarked on the site’s operations, stating, “We have been railroaded by the owners as work has already taken place at this site and is already up and running as a commercial venture.”
The council also expressed doubts about the safety of allowing additional large vehicles on Pound Lane, describing the anticipated increase in traffic as an “immense amount” and calling the access “dangerous.”
Villagers are campaigning to reduce the road’s speed limit to 30 mph, citing multiple accidents involving cars, pedestrians, horses, and farm equipment. A neighbor highlighted these incidents as a pressing safety issue.
While Norfolk County Council’s highways officer acknowledged the road’s unsuitability for motorhomes or caravans without mitigation measures, the department has not opposed the application.
The parish council also raised concerns about noise, describing the potential disturbance as “catastrophic” for nearby properties.
The application currently remains under consideration. Details can be accessed by searching for reference 2024/0689 on the South Norfolk Council planning portal.
The ongoing debate highlights the challenges of establishing outdoor hospitality ventures in rural areas, where community input and infrastructure limitations play pivotal roles.
For industry stakeholders, it underscores the importance of navigating local concerns while aligning development plans with broader tourism and economic benefits.
