A proposal for a new caravan and glamping site near Belvoir Castle in Grantham sparked concerns, including from the Lincolnshire County Council. The concerns focus on the anticipated increase in traffic and its implications for safety on the nearby A52 and A1 roads.
The Caravan and Motorhome Club plans to establish 140 touring caravan and motorhome pitches, 10 glamping pitches, and a glamping village with 10 units on Sedgebrook Road. The proposed amenities include a reception area, an accessible toilet block, a dog area, and a recreation field with a play area. The site also plans to offer pitch types designed for all weather conditions and improved accessibility, as well as incorporating solar panels and air-source heat pumps.
According to an article published by Lincolnshire Online on May 8, the project, submitted to South Kesteven District Council, has elicited public responses, resulting in 59 objections from over 60 comments. Additionally, the highways team at Lincolnshire County Council has recommended rejecting the development application.
The narrow, winding conditions of Sedgebrook Road pose a challenge, including potential dangers to horse riders, walkers, cyclists, and other pedestrians. There are also worries about noise disturbances from activities on the site, impacts on existing caravan sites, biodiversity, and sewage management
Joseph Walden, a senior development management officer, raised concerns about potential non-compliance with the traffic routes.
“Should vehicles towing caravans use this route, it would cause potential safety concerns along these narrow lanes, the free-flowing traffic along these lanes, and the safety to road users trying to pass a caravan or vehicles towing caravans getting stuck,” Walden said, as quoted in the report.
Leicestershire County Council indicates that the application lacks the comprehensive details necessary to assess its impact on local highways fully and suggests that further information is needed.
Glamping owners can glean significant lessons from the proposal for a new caravan and glamping site near Belvoir Castle. The concerns raised by local authorities, particularly about traffic and road safety, underscore the importance of thorough infrastructure planning and community consultation. Developers can mitigate community objections and enhance safety measures by proactively addressing potential issues such as road capacity and traffic flow. This case illustrates the need for detailed traffic impact assessments and effective communication with local stakeholders to ensure that the infrastructure supports both the influx of visitors and the needs of the existing community.