West Norfolk Council has had its plans to develop Seagate caravan park given the go ahead in a move which will see part of the site relocated from alongside South Beach Road to the existing car park area off Seagate Road.

But Nigel Croasdale, manager of Hunstanton Sealife Sanctuary, believes a new static caravan park will do little to encourage tourists and day visitors to what he describes as "a declining resort."

The plans were approved by the council's development control board on Monday but Mr Croasdale has criticised the decision, stating static caravans owned by families would have no benefit to the town.

He told the Lynn News: "This will allow people to buy a caravan but for large periods they will be empty.

"What the resort needs is an increase in day trippers and more holiday parks in line with Searles and Manor Park, which are quality holiday parks and not low grade like this.

"If anything the site should be given for parking with no caravans at all.

"Hunstanton has just had the worst Easter fortnight we have ever had with it being an early holiday and cold weather.

"There has been a complete drop off in day visitors and in the same week we get a planning application receiving approval which has no benefit to increasing tourism."

The council received a petition featuring 77 signatures from residents on Seagate Road who objected on a number of grounds including the negative impact on local businesses, a reduction in parking spaces and increased traffic and parking problems on Seagate Road.

OBJECTIONS

A further 21 letters of objection were also received along with formal objections from Hunstanton Town Council and Hunstanton Civic Society.

Mr Croasdale attended Monday's meeting to represent residents and businesses from the south end of the resort but despite expressing his concerns to the board the scheme was approved.

Highways officials reported how the move will reduce pressure on Southend Road and Oasis Way roundabout while members were told the scheme will move an established caravan park from a high flood-risk zone.

Cllr Chris Crofts said: "Highways say this is a better enhancement round Seagate Road and they are the professionals.

"The civic society objects on the ground there is a loss of amenities.

"We have still got the same number of parking spaces so I cannot see that is any detriment.

"I cannot relate to the loss of business either.

"With new caravans and more people there will be more business."

Is Hunstanton a declining resort. Tell us what you think? Write to: Letters, Lynn News, Limes House, Purfleet Street, King's Lynn PE30 1HL, email: malcolm.powell@lynnnews.co.uk or post your views on our website: www.lynnnews.co.uk