A caravan park in Swaffham is continuing its fight to make some of the buildings there permanent homes.

Last year, Birch Park Homes' application to make some of its caravans at Breckland Meadows Touring Park permanent homes was rejected.

It wanted 54 of its caravans and two of its static homes to be used as permanent homes.

It was thrown out after Breckland Council ruled the change could negatively impact traffic and place a demand on public services in the area.

Birch Park Homes has now re-applied for permission.

The applicant disagreed with the council's view, calling it "contrary to common sense" to say touring caravans could not be lived in permanently.

However, in its new application the business has turned to numerous sites where similar instances have happened to plead its case, including Somerset, Gloucestershire, and Suffolk.

Laister Planning Limited, the agent on behalf of Birch Park Homes, has argued that in the inspector's previous decision, she had not considered any case law or appeal decisions. 

Breckland Council rejected the last application after concluding that changing the caravans use would burden nearby services.Breckland Council rejected the last application after concluding that changing the caravans' use would burden nearby services. (Image: Archant)
READ MORE: Bid to turn solicitors into housing sparks business fears

The agent said: "It must be evidenced that the stationing of 54 touring caravans and two static caravans would not amount to a material change of use compared to the existing situation, and would therefore be lawful for planning purposes.

"The documents presented alongside this application provide overwhelming evidence that this would be the case."

It went on to say that there are no conditions restricting the overall number of caravans, and that increasing the number of caravans to full capacity would not change "the definable character" of the caravan site.

The document added: "Therefore there is no requirement to look at off-site effects.

"Without prejudice to this, we have considered the extent of off-site effects and have found none that would suggest that any change in character of the use would generate a material change of use," said the agent.

Breckland Council has been approached for comment.