RESIDENTS living near a Bude campsite which is seeking to expand its usage to be open all year round are divided as to whether the plans should be approved by Cornwall Council.

The owners of Efford Downs Campsite on Vicarage Road in Bude are seeking permission to allow camping by tents and motorhomes throughout the year.

It would remain alongside the continued agricultural use of the wider land holding and would remain restricted to tents and motorhomes.

If approved, it would mean that the campsite, which has been in operation for 27 years and which currently operates for 16 weeks per year, would no longer be restricted on the time it can be open.

Since the application was submitted, a dichotomy of opinion has been expressed in the responses to the public consultation on the Cornwall Council planning portal.

Of the 12 comments received thus far, eight have been in objection to the proposals and four are in favour.

Those against the proposals have warned against the suitability of year-round use of the site, limitations of the nearby roads to handle extra traffic and a perceived impact on nearby ecology.

Those in favour praised the campsite and highlighted the positive impact it could have on the local economy.

The objectors have been joined by Bude-Stratton Town Council in being against the proposals.

The town council said in its consultation response: “BSTC (Bude-Stratton Town Council) object to application due to the very restricted vehicle access to the site and ecological damage to the hedgerows and field.”

In a response to the objections, the applicant’s planning team stated: “We are seeking flexibility to operate outside the current 16-week period when there is genuine demand, rather than being required to close on a fixed date. We fully expect visitor numbers to reduce significantly outside the main summer season.”

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

The full application can be viewed using reference PA26/06015 on the Cornwall Council planning portal.