PLANS for a huge expansion of a West Somerset caravan park have been dropped before a Government inspector could rule on the scheme.

An appeal had been made to the Planning Inspectorate on the grounds Somerset Council had failed to determine the application by Home Park Caravan Park, Blue Anchor, within its three months timetable.

But the company, part of Brean-based Somerset Leisure, has now withdrawn its application, which was first lodged in September, 2023.

It had wanted to change the use of one its fields to allow 60 static caravans for all-year-round use with people able to live in them for up to four months at a time.

Two years ago it won planning permission by default for touring caravans, camping, and car boot sale activities on part of the site when it showed it had been operating for at least 10 years without interruption.

No explanation was available on the council’s planning portal for the withdrawal of the application.

But the plans had been opposed by parish councillors in both Carhampton and Old Cleeve and by many local residents.

Carhampton councillors said the site was unsustainable and outside development boundaries and would spoil the quality and integrity of the local landscape character.

Old Cleeve councillors pointed to the site being in a zone of ‘highest risk of flooding’ and its detrimental impact on the quality of life for the nearby residents.

Chapel Cleeve resident Margaret Smith said: “We live in farming country, but the applicant is seeking to change it into caravan country.

“There are already way too many caravans nearby, surely enough is enough, though probably not if you are simply attempting to exploit this beautiful picturesque area for business purposes.”

Mrs Smith said all of the fields had this year seen flooding, while speed indicator devices and a 20 mph zone had been installed on both roads into Blue Anchor from the A39 because of traffic problems which already existed.

Planning consultant Michael Shepherd, of Shattock Associates, had said the expansion would make Home Park more viable by maximising site use because many visitors chose to come outside the main summer months.