Salop Caravan Sites Ltd’s proposal to expand Spring Lea Holiday Park & Fishery near Shrewsbury will be reviewed by Shropshire Council next week, with councillors expected to decide on whether the development should proceed.
The company has applied to add 40 static caravans at the site on Plealey Road, Lea Cross, along with a new access road from the A488 and an additional pathway.
The planning officer has recommended approval, noting that the scheme represents the growth of an established tourism business.
Six members of the public and Pontesbury Parish Council submitted objections, citing concerns about visual and environmental impacts, increased traffic, and pressure on local infrastructure.
The parish council also raised specific issues around road safety, pointing to the speed of vehicles on the A488 and requesting that sight-lines be assessed. It asked the council to consider a reduced speed limit on the route and the addition of “turning vehicles” signs.
“We would also want to ensure that all permanent sited caravans were owner-occupied and not advertised for hire,” the parish council said in its submission.
In the planning officer’s report, the development was described as consistent with both national and local planning policy objectives.
“The proposal would contribute positively to the local economy, enhance Shropshire’s visitor offer, and improve site sustainability through better access to public transport and revised site access arrangements,” the officer wrote.
According to the BBC, the report acknowledged that the expansion would involve a loss of agricultural land but noted that this does not conflict with current policy protections.
The officer added: “The siting, scale, and design of the development are appropriate in the context of the existing site and surrounding landscape, with substantial landscaping proposed to mitigate visual impacts as well as ground investigation controlled by condition.”
The officer also stated that revised access arrangements would improve safety on Plealey Road, concluding that the benefits of the proposal outweigh potential negative effects.
For operators in the holiday park and caravan industry, this case highlights the importance of aligning expansion projects with planning policy while addressing local concerns.
Balancing tourism growth with infrastructure and community feedback remains a key consideration for businesses looking to invest in site improvements and capacity increases.