Fears extension of caravan parks in Lincolnshire's coastal towns may impact local services
Some locals say accessing doctors and dentists is already difficult
It's claimed people living in Lincolnshire's coastal towns are being "swamped" by the number of tourists making it difficult to access the likes of doctors or dentists.
Fears have been raised after new applications to increase caravan numbers further were put forward.
But many locals fear there's isn't sufficient infrastructure.
We spoke to Ingoldmells councillor Colin Davie.
He told us: " We want more high spending. high quality visitors to the Lincolnshire coast quite clearly but just providing them with a caravan pitch is not the answer."
"What we have to do is invest in the infrastructure, we need to invest in high quality attractions that bring people out of season as well as in season."
“In Addlethorpe, there are already seven caravans for every resident – they are swamped. Residents feel forgotten.
They want to know when their interests will be put before developers.”
A search of East Lindsey District Council’s planning documents reveal at least 16 applications which promise an additional 1300 static and mobile caravans are currently pending.
They vary from small parks or extensions of 20 to 50 pitches, many around popular destinations like Skegness and Mablethorpe, all the way up to enormous holiday parks.
Councillor Davie has objected to the biggest plan, which promises 490 static caravans at a Ritz Resorts holiday park near Addlethorpe.
He describes the size of the application, which comes complete with a restaurant, club house, and sports facility, as “ridiculous”.
Residents are standing firm against plans for more caravans, with nearly 700 objections to another plan for 104 caravans on Sea Lane near Hogsthorpe.
Councillor Davie added: “We need to see more investment and infrastructure to make sure that residents are looked after.
“The east coast’s population increases 500% in the summer.
There are 20,000 permanent residents and 100,000 caravans.
“It is good that the coast is vibrant and people are coming here. It’s clearly a top tourism destination with amazing beaches. However we have to be careful how we manage it.”
Councillor Davie has called in two more applications in the area to be reviewed by East Lindsey District Council’s planning committee.