Ferocious opposition from villagers out to protect their views, keep country lanes quiet and preserve a spot immortalised in a painting has scuppered plans to put a caravan site in the heart of Barbon, reports Jennie Dennett.

After being bombarded with letters, The Caravan Club has decided not to renew a site licence that would have allowed five touring caravans to pitch on a field in the village near Kirkby Lonsdale.

Tony Barnett, the head of estates at The Caravan Club, said the community's feelings prompted the club to refuse to renew the licence which was originally granted in 2001 but re-evaluated after complaints from residents.

"Clearly there are a lot of strong views in the community there, and polarised views both for and against, and in that situation it is both unreasonable and unsympathetic to grant the certificate."

The Caravan's Club's original decision to give applicant the Rev James Trevelyan, a retired priest, permission to establish a Certificated Location had enraged many Barbon villagers. Under the 1960 Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act the club has the power to authorise small sites for up to five vans without the need for planning permission

Resident John Robinson complained about desecration of the village scene while site neighbours were unhappy about loss of views and road safety.

Art was also fielded in the tussle by Mr Robinson and Beatrice Hely-Hutchinson, the daughter of 1950s painter Stephen Harris who painted an area near the proposed caravan plot in his work The Kitchen Garden.

"The Kitchen Garden was his subject," railed Mr Robinson. "It's like Monet's water lilies. The French wouldn't put a caravan next door to Monet's lilies. It's ghastly!"

Barbon Parish Council also became embroiled in the conflict as villagers demanded to know why councillors first wrote to The Caravan Club opposing the plan only to withdraw their objections later. The club had cited parish council "support" as crucial in their initial decision to grant the licence.

To calm the unrest Mr Barnett launched the review he described as "thorough". It concluded that the Club carried out its powers properly and that "in objective planning terms" Mr Trevelyan's plot was a good one and served by adequate roads.

But Mr Barnett added that the club should have required Mr Trevelyan to establish adequate screening by planting trees before granting the licence.

Mr Barnett also said that changes would be made in the club's approach to parish councils. "Upon reflection what we are going to do in the future is make sure the council does adequately reflect the views of those in the vicinity."

Objectors welcomed the Caravan Club's final ruling. "It's turned out in the end the way the village wanted," said Mr Robinson.

Mr Trevelyan said he was "disappointed" but would abide by the club's decision and had no plans to reapply for a licence on the disputed site or any other land.

January 3, 2003 12:00