A PARK homes company controversially granted permission to install 31 mobile units on a former caravanning and camping site at Linford has gone back to Thurrock Council asking for the right to expand its development by 15 more new homes.

And it is seeking to do so by claiming the site of the additional new homes has been used by caravans for many years – even though it has been a long-established car park.

Following the granting of previous permission, the site operator, Monte Carlo Homes has been installing new mobile homes on other parts of the Walton Hall Farm site – but it has not stuck to the layout that was approved.

Trees have been wiped from the landscape at Walton Hall Farm.

And a number of trees on the site which are subject to preservation orders have been removed.

In December last year Thurrock Nub News reported on the decision by Thurrock Council to remove a 'stop order' on work at the site which it conceded had been issued in error as the site owners had previously obtained a certificate of lawfulness for the site's development.

It was a decision criticised by local councillors, including ward councillor Sue Sammons who said she and residents are disturbed about what is happening at Walton Hall adding: "There has been a lot of local concern about this site and what is going on there.

"What has happened is very worrying."

In its latest application for an extension to the park homes site, Monte Carlo says it is seeking the 'siting additional caravans on land associated with Walton Hall Farm, without the need to obtain planning permission'.

It claim is presented in a document which suggests that the land it now targets should be considered as having legal status as a potential site for new caravans because it is part of a wider caravan park.

Monte Carlo argues the use is therefore not severable from the primary use and "therefore must be concluded that the land proposed for additional caravans forms part of the primary use, and it therefore must fall within the same planning unit as the existing mixed use site, which includes a caravan site."

New homes are already on the site, in positions that do not correspond to the planning permission.

Thurrock Council was asked last week for a comment on the situation at Walton Hall Farm and if it is aware of potential breaches of preservation orders, but it has not responded. 

The application - and opportunity to comment - can be found via this link.