The owner of a man-made beach has lodged an appeal at the High Court after a government planning inspector ordered the attraction to be removed.
Stephen Hammon has run the beach at Fillongley near Meriden in Warwickshire, complete with deck chairs and pedaloes, since 2008. The local council said the attraction did not have planning permission. In September, the inspector ordered the beach to be removed, following a three-day hearing.
“I am absolutely devastated by the news, not just formyself and the staff who work at Heart Park and Beach, but for the thousands and thousands of children and families who have enjoyed visiting the attractionover the last four years."
A man-made beach in Fillongley has got to be removed says Planning Inspector.
The beach beside a lake is a tourist attraction run by Stephen Hammon, he lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate following an order by North Warwickshire Borough Council to remove the beach which does not have planning permission.
The council say the beach is on green belt land and together with the fairground causes noise and traffic problems for the area.
Councillor Ray Sweet, Chair of the Borough Council's Planning and Development Board said:
– Councillor Ray Sweet, Chair of the Borough Council's Planning and Development Board"This is a really good decision for North Warwickshire. It shows that people cannot just do things without planning permission. The Inspector has completely upheld the Council's planning policy of protecting our Green Belt and our countryside".
A planning permission row could mean a man-made beach attracting thousands of people is forced to close
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