PLANS for an extension to a caravan park have been recommended for refusal by planning officers.

The plans, which are to be brought before Hambleton District Council retrospectively on May 31, are recommended for refused due to it causing a flood risk and blighting the landscape.

The site, at Thornborough Grange Park in South Kilvington, near Thirsk, already has 18 timber holiday lodges and a two-storey house, but the applicant, a Mr J Burnside, has requested permission for 40 touring caravans.

The caravan site was described as an extension to the existing timber lodge holiday park, however planning officers said the entire application area on is land at a high risk of flooding, and slopes gently towards Cod Beck.

South Kilvington Parish Council and Thirsk Town Council objected to the caravan park because it said the land is inappropriate as a campsite, as it is too near a roundabout.

The councils are also concerned about the destruction of wetland and river environments, and possible contamination to the Cod Beck.

HDC planning officers have concluded that the site’s risk of flooding would put “considerable risk to the vulnerable occupiers of the caravans.”

Officers added it would “cause a significant harmful visual impact on the openness of the landscape.”