Sizewell no-show halts holiday park expansion bid

A decision whether a holiday park can be expanded to house workers for Sizewell C has been delayed after no-one from the project showed up to a planning meeting.

Britannia Jinkey Jersey Ltd, which owns Pontins Pakefield, near Lowestoft, wants to develop an additional 340 caravan pitches at the site.

At an East Suffolk Council planning meeting, Conservative councillor Paul Ashdown criticised Sizewell C for not being "bothered to come and sit with us" and moved to defer the decision to allow for a site visit.

A Sizewell C spokesperson said: "We worked closely with local partners to help develop and submit this application. We will continue to work with all parties involved to support the next steps."

The proposals sought permission for the new pitches alongside amenity buildings, including toilets, 36 communal showers, laundry and dishwashing facilities.

Members of the planning committee urged for a representative from Sizewell C to be present when the authority meets again.

The plans were recommended for approval by officers, but councillors said questions remained unanswered.

Gisleham and Kessingland parish councils both agreed with the officer's recommendation of approval but raised concerns, particularly around the impact on traffic and road safety.

Lowestoft Town Council recommended "total refusal" over concerns around infrastructure capacity and the long-term sustainability of public transport.

The planning application will now be heard at a meeting in the future.

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