HOPTON Holiday Village has been given permission to create a new entrance at its site despite local concern it would cause traffic chaos in the busy summer months.

HOPTON Holiday Village has been given permission to create a new entrance at its site despite local concern it would cause traffic

chaos in the busy summer months.

Park owners Bourne Leisure were given the green light to build the new entrance on Warren Road at borough council's development control meeting.

The application had sparked concern in the village with the council receiving 19 letters of objection on the matter with the main worries

being increased noise, disturbance and pollution from traffic; traffic congestion; loss of business and reduction in passing trade.

The application was originally brought before the committee in July however a late alteration to the plans to include additional parking forced the committee to defer the application in order for members of the public to comment on plans.

Stanley Manning, who owns an amusements arcade on Warren Road, said moving the holiday village's entrances could mean the

end for several local businesses.

Speaking at Tuesday's meeting Mr Manning

said: “Several years ago when the park had different managers, the gates was moved to what is now Julian Way and resulted in serious congestion, with cars backing up into the village and causing serious disruption on Station Road.

“This entrance was only used for one season and then converted back to the

original and current entrance.

“Over the last decade the number of houses in Hopton has doubled, the school has been enlarged and Hopton is now a busy village all year round.

“If this application is approved we can see a nightmare situation developing with people trying to cross a busy junction.

“This will have a serious impact on the quality of life for residents.”

Mr Manning said he also believed businesses

further down Warren Road would lose trade if the access was moved because

there would be no passing traffic.

Conservative councillor Barry Cunniffe feared the new entrance could spark major traffic problems for Hopton adding he

could not support the application.

But fellow Tory George Jermany said the local holiday industry had declined over the last two years and couldn't see a problem with the application.

The scheme was approved by nine votes to three.