Call for rethink on Ellesmere caravan plan

But the proposed holiday site could return after the developers pledged to make changes to their plans in the wake of the backlash.

The scheme would have seen Castlefields car park in Ellesmere turned into a site for 30 touring caravans and 24 static caravans.

Simon Darlington, of applicants Oswestry Caravans, said: "I am not disappointed.

"We have decided to withdraw the application as it is at the moment and we will take on board the comments from different people."

He added: "We will look at the project and see if we can make it more agreeable to everybody.

"At the end of the day this was meant to be a happy place – the last thing we want to do is upset everybody in the process."

The news comes after Shropshire Council planning officers said the plans would be "unacceptable" in their current form.

Council planning officer Sue Collins said: "There is very little support for the proposal within the local community and a number of consultees have raised concerns regarding the proposal as submitted."

She said she would recommend the level of development be "significantly reduced" and suggested the company reconsider issues such as the impact on the historic and natural environment.

The proposals came under fire from the Council for British Archaeology, Shropshire Wildlife Trust and Ellesmere Town Council. Many feared it would impact on the ruins of nearby Ellesmere Castle – a castle which is thought to have been established by Roger de Montgomery, first earl of Shrewsbury, soon after the Norman conquest.

The plans had also faced objection from local residents who feared it would damage the area's natural beauty.

Mr Darlington said he thought the plans could bring as much as £300,000 a year to the local economy.