Author: markr

Ribble Valley Country and Leisure Park has been bombarded by a massive murmeration of starlings this Spring 2023.

Many lodges and caravans were soiled with the birds droppings and some lodges were uinhabitable awaiting cleaning [at the Lodge owners expense]

Questions have been asked about whether the starlings will return annually to the same localised area and the answer is a resounding ‘YES’ meaning a repeat of the devastation caused.

Whilst the issue was of course no fault of the sites owners they have a responsibility to inform prospective customers of the issue and the likelihood of it happening each year. Should you be considering a purchase this should be considered along with the owners announcement that caravans on the site are now to be ‘let out’ possibly using AirBNB. Present residents have been led to believe that this is an owners only site and that sadly is not the case and they can look forward to ‘strangers’ visiting and holidaying/stag/hen-nighting next door to their holiday homes.

Having the facts allows you to make an informed decision as these holiday homes can put quite a dent in peoples finances.

Think before you buy!!! – Ask around and do your checks.

Last night 06/01/2022 the Ribble Valley Planning Committee overwhelmingly refused the Park Leisure application for the extension to the existing site with only one Counsellor in favour of the plan.

Whilst a victory we anticipate that the owners will appeal the decision so the fight goes on. The signs around the hamlet will remain for as long as it takes for the proposed development land to be sold back to the farming community.

Meanwhile prospective buyers or upgraders should think again if they were planning to buy a caravan/lodge as the identity of any new owners and the prospect of the site changing dramatically is a real possibility.

As residents of the hamlet we live in harmony with the caravan/lodge owners and have enjoyed their support during this fight to spoil their peaceful retreat.

Peoples welfare and rights must always come before individual economic gain and we will continue to keep this hamlet the place you have come to love and cherish.

Last night [02/12/21] the planning application was refused by the Council. Well done to everyone who attended and showed the Council we mean business.

We were advised that it will come back to the Committee on the 6th January 2022. We are not too sure on the next phase but we will update on here once we know more.

Today [05/11/21] Park Leisure revised their plans based on our initial objections and scaled their development plans back to 62 additional caravans from 95 originally submitted.

So do we stop now? – No way, there will be no more caravans in our hamlet the fight will continue.

Thank you to all that attend the recent meeting at the Chapel. What a great attendance from residents at the caravan site who were clearly angry at Park Leisure’s attempt to increase the number of pitches on the site and the severe impact that would have on our small hamlet.

Generous donations were received to support the cause and we thank all who contributed to the fighting fund.

There was an enthusiasm to get involved with letters of objection and simple ways of objecting were explained to get the message accross that “we object strongly” and will continue our fight long after the application has been decided to stop this type of development from ever blighting our landscape and upsetting locals and caravan residents alike.

Unless the application is swiftly withdrawn. Our next endeavour “Think before you buy” will ensure buyers are aware of who and what they are buying into before upgrading or purchasing their “nightmare second home”.

Visit the online article ‘Beauty spot locals rise up against glamping sprawl’

https://epaper.thetimes.co.uk/the-times/20210807/282102049726756

Quote from ‘Yorkshire Post’

“I think we are in danger of oversupply and it could detract from what attracts people into the county” [Gareth Dadd – Deputy Leader of North Yorkshire County Council] – A quote equally applicable to our fight against this development over the border in Lancashire.



Check out our Twitter page.. https://twitter.com/paythorne8

Tweets coming soon start to follow NOW!

Fantastic news today see the letter below sent from CPRE to the Council opposing the Park Leisure Development proposal.

Well done Miles & Sue

The present proposed developments green fields are at present playing their part in relieving any potential downpours from flooding and damaging the environment. Park Leisure want to tarmac and create hard standing pitches on there that won’t hold any surface water and discharge it at a rapid rate into the Ribble Ribble.

Do you think that will add to or alleviate this happening…

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Take a look at our first of many press releases this is from Saturday’s Lancashire Evening Telegraph. Look out for further coverage in Barnoldswick, Clitheroe, Accrington and many more surrounding areas.

Well done Debs!