Caravan park at former pig farm ordered to close

The operator of a caravan park at a former pig farm has been ordered to close it down.

The government's Planning Inspectorate said the unauthorised site in Knottingley had "led to noise and general disturbance" to people living nearby

Wakefield Council issued an enforcement notice ordering the removal of all caravans from the land after planning permission for the development was refused.

More than 100 people previously objected to a retrospective application for nine static caravans to be situated next to a house on Womersley Road.

The scheme included demolishing sheds which were in use when the site was used for pig farming.

The plans drew comments from West Yorkshire Police and local MP Yvette Cooper over concerns about residents being disturbed.

Cooper said at the time: "It is clear that this planning proposal has already caused significant upset to the community in Knottingley and should not be allowed to go ahead."

Planning officers turned down the scheme in 2024 after describing it as "significantly detrimental" to people living nearby.

In November that year, the council issued the enforcement notice alleging breach of planning controls due to the site continuing to operate.

Site owner Charlie Wilson then appealed to HM Planning Inspectorate and proposed changes to the layout.

The appeal was dismissed and the enforcement notice upheld following a site visit by an inspector on 3 March.

The inspector's report, published on Tuesday, said: "I consider that the unauthorised use has led to noise and general disturbance to the neighbours.

"The development fails to protect the living conditions of neighbouring residents, having particular regard to privacy, outlook and disturbance."

The inspector added: "I am mindful that dismissing the appeal and upholding the notice will result in the loss of the occupiers' homes and interfere with their rights under Article 8 of the Human Rights Act, which states that everyone has a right to respect for private and family life, their home and correspondence.

"However, this is a qualified right, whereby interference may be justified in the public interest."

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