A WEST Somerset councillor has won a fight to keep six holiday caravans on a vulnerable section of the Blue Anchor coastline following a planning decision by his fellow councillors.

Cllr Marcus Kravis was granted retrospective planning permission despite strong opposition from Old Cleeve parish council in a long-running battle which has become known locally as “Caravangate”.

A newly-elected Liberal Democrat member for the Duster division on the new unitary Somerset council, Cllr Kravis also represents Old Cleeve on Somerset West and Taunton council.

He was portfolio-holder for asset management and economic development before being removed in a reshuffle two days before the planning meeting.

Cllr Kravis had applied for retrospective planning permission to retain up to six static holiday caravans on land north of the B3191 Cleeve Hill, adjacent to Anchor’s Drop (formerly The Blue Anchor Hotel).