A HOLIDAY campsite off the B645 at Tilbrook has been given the go-ahead by councillors in spite of objections from the parish council and several residents.

The applicant, MacNeil Haynes, said Summerfield Farm in Tilbrook High Street was not commercially viable without diversification. It proposed a change of use from agricultural grassland to a campsite for up to 25 tents or motorhomes, with the provision of a toilet and shower facility in an existing building.

The site will be available between March and October and restricted to holiday use. Towed caravans will not be allowed onto the site.

Tilbrook Parish Council recommended refusal on a variety of grounds, including a lack of benefit to the community, and residents’ objections included noise, damage to views and amenities, anti-social activities, breaches of planning law and the applicant’s failure to consult neighbours in a transparent way.

Seven letters of support – only one of which was from Tilbrook – were also considered.

Planners said any harm to the village would be outweighed by the benefit to the village pub and to shops in Kimbolton, but they added: “It is unfortunate that the applicant appears not to have contacted his neighbours or pursued a dialogue with the village over these plans, other than requesting a meeting with the parish council in March 2011, but this is not a reason for refusal.”