A POPULAR caravan and camping site in Northwich has been granted planning permission to extend its facilities.

Forest View, on Gallowsclough Lane, Oakmere, applied to Cheshire West and Chester Council to provide an additional 27 camping pitches that will be able to house a single tent with an associated car parking space within the existing

camping site.

The site covers around three hectares, with the new pitches being accessed by the extension of an existing service road, but still accessed via the entrance on Gallowsclough Lane.

Although concerns were raised by Delamere and Oakmere Parish Council about there being adequate toilet and shower facilities on site, with a suitable septic tank to handle the increased capacity, additional information was

provided to the council to ensure both will be increased as part of the plans.

In a report to the council, the planning officer said: "In the context of the existing camp site and having regard to the existing building the development would not harm the intrinsic character and appearance of the countryside.

"Further to this, the proposal is low lying with the spaces marked out for visitors tents and therefore no permanence in this regard."

"It is considered that the proposed expansion would enhance the existing tourism offer and benefit the local economy.

"As the proposal is to expand an existing camp site, the proposal is considered to be a suitable form of development for its location and therefore complies with ECON 3 of Part One of the Local Plan and DM10 of Part Two of the Local

Plan."

The site is accessed from Gallowsclough Lane, and although the proposal would result in additional traffic movements to and from the site over and above the current situation, it was not considered to have a significant or severe impact

on the surrounding highway network.

In granting permission, the council have said the work must be completed within three years.