Rushall residents angry at Waveney Valley Holiday Park plans to increase caravan capacity for second time

Residents of a rural lane have warned that a holiday park’s expansion plans, which could more than double the population of their village, could be “catastrophic” for the area.

The owners of Waveney Valley Holiday Park in Airstation Lane, Rushall, are seeking permission to increase the number of static caravans on the site from 46 to 71.

It comes after the business secured approval to develop the land last year, when it added an additional 25 caravans to the park.

Faced with the prospect of the site tripling in size in a matter of months, villagers have raised concerns over flooding, traffic, noise and litter.

One resident, who asked not to be named due to their proximity to the site, said: “The previous owner of the site ran it from March to September, but the new owners seem to want to have people in there all-year round.

“I feel they have not looked at the environmental impact this increase will have, with the amount of traffic coming up and down the lane.

“We are all very concerned about this and feel that the impact on the infrastructure of what is a very small village has not been taken into account.

“Our lane floods regularly between October to April and, with an increase of 71 families living there, the water, which is sometimes up to our doors anyway, will end up coming into our houses.”

Another resident, who has objected to the plans on the council’s planning portal, said a further increase in caravans would only add to noise and light pollution coming from the site.

They said: “Rushall has around 50 homes at present. An increase to 71 mobile homes would more than double the amount of people in our village.

“Owing to the fact that there are already people residing permanently at the holiday park, I believe this would be catastrophic for our area.”

Another resident of Airstation Lane claimed that vermin issues had increased threefold this winter as a result of the site’s growth.

“South Norfolk Council has already agreed that 21 vans could be increased to 46, which is a huge jump. To now increase that to 71 would be outrageous.

“As a local resident, I am really disappointed with how this has been handled. Our quality of life has gone down considerably this year with the building of eight concrete bases.

“If there were to be another 63 put down, it would be unbearable due to noise, dust and disruption.”

South Norfolk Council is expected to rule on the application in the coming months.