Planning Inspector says beach must go

The end for the beach at Fillongley

Beach has to go

The beach that has been running in Fillongley at the Heart of England site has got to go. This is the finding from a recent planning appeal.  Stephen Hammon, who operates the tourist facility, lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate, following North Warwickshire Borough Council's action requiring him to remove the beach, which does not have planning permission.

After a three day Inquiry held in September, the Planning Inspector, Tony Fussey, has upheld the Council's action and dismissed all of Mr Hammon's arguments that he should keep the beach as an attraction.  

Mr Fussey heard how the beach had been constructed without planning permission, and agreed that not only was it and its associated "fairground" very intrusive in the Green Belt countryside, but that its use caused real problems, such as noise and traffic difficulties.

 In an unusual move, Mr Fussey has also ordered Mr Hammon to pay some of the Council's costs, because his appeals were not soundly based.

Councillor Ray Sweet, Chair of the Borough Council's Planning and Development Board said:

 "This is a really good decision for North Warwickshire. It shows that people cannot just do things without planning permission. The Inspector has completely upheld the Council's planning policy of protecting our Green Belt and our countryside".