A CAMPING and caravan site close to a village pub has retrospective permission despite objections from near neighbours.

The change of use has been put forward at The Shady Oak on Bates Mill Lane in Beeston near the Shropshire Union canal.

Approval was being sought for the use of the land for no more than 12 touring caravans and 12 tents between March and October each year, planning officers at Chester City Council were told.

Neighbours Jon and Tina Clauson, who have lived on Bates Mill Lane for 11 years, object and say they are concerned about loss of tranquillity, noise and the unsightliness and size of the site which they feel is out of character with the surroundings.

They fear they will suffer loss of privacy and increased traffic and the site will affect the environment and lead to significant loss of value to adjacent houses.

The area is “particularly tranquil and picturesque” they say and claim there has been a complete change with increased noise from excitable children and caravan users while the caravans and tents are unsightly.

No objections were raised by Beeston Parish Council, which supported the application subject to a detailed specification of how the development would conform to the character and appearance of the area, or by the County Engineer.

The land is well screened on three boundaries although it is clearly visible from Beeston Castle, according to a report.

Planners felt that with increased landscaping, the impact of the site would be further reduced.

To deal with concerns about noise, they suggested a temporary three year permission to enable this to be assessed along with the effect on visual amenity such as views from Beeston Castle.

They do not believe there will be an unacceptable effect on the privacy or amenities of neighbours.

Recommending the application should be approved, planning officers argued the site would enable public enjoyment of the countryside without having an unacceptable effect on neighbours.

Moving permission, planning deputy chairman Cllr Barbara Roberts (Con, Tarvin) commented: “This is a very well laid out site.”

Vicars Cross Cllr Paul Cheetham (Lib Dem) pointed out that touring caravans were normally allowed to occupy pitches for a maximum of three weeks and development control manager Fiona Edwards said there would be a condition requiring a register to be maintained.

The board agreed on a 13-0 vote that the site could be approved.