PLANNERS have gone against parish councillors and agreed a West Somerset caravan park can be lived in all year round as long as the caravans do not become a person’s main home.

Old Cleeve Parish Council objected to relaxing planning rules to allow year-round residential occupancy of Warren Bay Holiday Village, on Cleeve Hill, between Watchet and Blue Anchor.

A parish council spokesperson said: “It is the council’s understanding that the original intent of the caravan park was to serve as a seasonal holiday destination, contributing to the local economy through tourism.

“Allowing year-round residential occupancy would fundamentally alter the character of the site.

“Such a change may not be in keeping with the objectives which seeks to manage tourism development in a way that respects the character and capacity of local communities.

“The proposed change of use to year-round residential occupancy is likely to result in increased energy consumption and carbon emissions.

“The applicant has not evidenced that the caravans meet the necessary energy efficiency standards and that the development will not adversely impact the local environment, and councillors therefore consider the proposal conflicts with the policies in the West Somerset Local Plan to 2032 on carbon reduction.”

Occupation of the holiday park was not permitted between December 18 and January 6 annually under a planning approval given in 2015 when it was allowed to add 44 more static caravan pitches.

At the time, planners said the condition would ensure the caravans did not become permanent residences as the site was ‘in open countryside and outside the development limits of recognised settlements’.

Now, Somerset Council planning officer Briony Waterman has lifted the ban, saying it would support year-round tourism and would not have a significant impact upon the surrounding area.

Ms Waterman said there were potential benefits for tourism outside of the ‘traditional’ visitor season.