45-year-old Manor Caravan Park is being made to relocate its site because of coastal erosion along the coast of Norfolk.
The attraction has 134 static caravans and space for tourers and tents, and is fighting to keep its place as one of few campsites in the local area with a beach on its doorstep.
Chris Lomax, 52 and owner of the caravan park, fears for his family’s long-term business commenting that the loss of ground has forced them to look at other sites which would sadly take away their sea-front selling point.
“We will be dead and buried if we are not able to move,” he said.
“We’ve lost four metres of cliff in the last three months. My father’s been here nearly 50 years and has never known it this bad.”
Chris has had to apply to the North Norfolk District Council for full planning permission for a site of 15 acres (eight hectares) on farm land south of North Walsham Road behind Happisburgh Primary School.
Again, the downside being that their new location is well-off from the coast which has already had an effect on his family’s business.
About a quarter of those who rented space for their static caravans had said they did not want to renew without a sea view.
More problems
The move has also faced opposition from both caravan owners and Happisburgh Primary School from a health and safety perspective.
Amanda Sands, Governor at Happisburgh School, made the point in of saying that, aesthetically, the caravan park will not make the best addition to the area.
“I can’t think of anywhere else in Norfolk where there is a beautiful school and a caravan site next to it.”
The new site would provide space for 34 static caravans, 60 touring caravans and a camping area with warden accommodation and an amenity building.
At the current rate of coastal erosion it would only be about 10 to 15 years before the family business was literally washed into the sea because of the tides, so Chris is hoping that the deal to grant plans will go through regardless, given that the relocation would take about five years to complete.
