Campaign launched to fight caravan park plans near Shropshire beauty spot

A community action group has promised to oppose plans for the holiday site developers have earmarked for a site close to The Mere in Ellesmere.

Catherine Andrews, 47, of Grange Road in Ellesmere, said more than 400 people had shown support for the group. She said: "There are several concerns about the plans. Ellesmere is a tourist attraction. Part of that attraction is people come to the town for the natural beauty.

"But the area where the plans are is within proximity to the Mere.

"It is a very well-used car park at the moment, and that area round the car park is surrounded by hillocks and a lot of people use it for walking dogs.

"It will all be lost if it is turned into a caravan site."

Oswestry-based company Euro Source hopes to site 24 static vans on the Castlefields car park as well as space for 30 touring caravans.

The site would give views over The Mere and developers said they hoped it would act as a boost in tourism for the area. There would also be a two-storey building made up of staff accommodation and toilet facilities for holidaymakers.

But the group has concerns about sitting the caravans on an area of wild fauna and close to the former site of Ellesmere Castle and worries it could "open the floodgates" to further development around the area.

Mrs Andrews set up a Facebook group to oppose the plans called "No to Castlefields Caravan Park in Ellesmere" – which has seen 450 people join in support. She said: "We just want to encourage people to object if they want to and to let people know what is happening."

So far the proposal has gained 36 formal objections and one supporter, Jacqueline Thedens. She said: "I think this its a fantastic addition to the town of Ellesmere. It will bring employment and businesses in the town will benefit from the holiday makers who visit our beautiful town."

Developers have said that it is a way to "strengthen the economy, create jobs and promote the area".