Shropshire Star

Shropshire Wildlife Trust hits out at Ellesmere caravan site plan

Turning a Shropshire car park into a tourist caravan site could take away visitor trade, wildlife experts warned today.

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Shropshire Wildlife Trust has objected to plans to build a caravan site on Castlefields car park next to the Mere in Ellesmere.

The controversial plans have sparked a storm of opposition from people who hope to protect the natural beauty of the site as an attraction for tourists. And the trust said it could have a negative effect on tourist trade.

It said: "The trust is concerned that as limited parking is an issue for the town it is likely that the loss of parking spaces will lead to alternatives sites being sought that may have further ecological impacts.

"We do feel that the application would be beneficial to our visitor centre operation at the nearby Boathouse.

"Trade from a limited number of people accommodated by the caravan park proposal will be far outweighed by the loss of business from those unable to park."

Developers hope to build a site for 30 touring caravans and 24 static caravans as well as a building with toilet facilities and staff accommodation.

Impact

And despite claims from planners that the tourist economy could be boosted by the plans, Shropshire Wildlife Trust has said it could have a different impact.

It said: "The proposal includes five pages or more of tourism facts yet fails to fully recognise that the majority of tourists are day trippers drawn by natural and semi natural environment.

"For Ellesmere this include the Mere, woodland walks, art and sculpture trails and the motte and bailey of the castle grounds.

"The proposed caravan park is a step towards undermining the value of the very features that bring the visitors."

The site is set next to the former Ellesmere Castle and many fear it could impact the historic ruins. The trust has also added concerns that the site would mean losing "priority habitat grassland" and that it could have potential impacts on protected species such as badgers.

But developers have said the site would give views over The Mere and developers they hoped it would act as a boost in tourism.

They said that it would be a way to "strengthen the economy, create jobs and promote the area of Ellesmere".

The plans are available to view on the Shropshire Council website.

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