Caravans

A love hate relationship.

Our Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is about eight miles north to south by five miles east to west.

Yet in that area there are about 1300 static caravans and from April to early September a few hundred touring caravans and tents. The main static sites are very well run, some with indoor pools and cafes.

We benefit a lot from all these visitors. They keep our pubs, cafes and shops in business which is good for residents for the rest of the year.

And it is important that city dwellers enjoy all our natural history and many walking trails.

But there are several downsides. They bring lots of pressure on our rare plants and birds which need much protection. Some don’t know about taking their litter home. And many do not know how to drive on our narrow winding roads.

We live with all the pluses and minuses.

But it is good that the long term Development Plan approved last year for the AONB lays down that there must be no new caravan sites and no extensions to existing ones. That was a major planning achievement.