Controversial expansion plans for a caravan business in Whittington are set to be approved by councillors next week.

Percival Jennings wants to develop The Elms to provide additional storage for 34 touring caravans and motorhomes on top of the 50 berths already on the site.

Members of the North Shropshire Planning Committee have been advised to back the proposal when they meet next Tuesday. 

But the parish council and local Shropshire councillor, Steve Charmley, have raised concerns at the site being used for overnight stays.

Cllr Charmley, who is deputy leader of Shropshire Council, said: “The current storage facility appears to be poorly run, and the applicant is clearly advertising it as a campsite with a roadside ‘A’ board, which leads local residents to believe that there is more to this than simply storage.

“In addition to this the current access point is less than ideal although I accept that it is via a cul-de-sac and well away from the road.

“The neighbouring property will be significantly affected by increased traffic flow into and from the site.”

Ahead of the meeting, Cllr Charmley has asked the committee to consider traffic and parking issues, impact on the character of the area, and noise, dust and general impact on neighbouring properties.

Further concerns have been raised by nearby residents. But planning officer Oliver Thomas says the site already has permission to provide five berths for caravans and motorhomes.

He continued: “The parish council has raised concerns over the commercial intensification of this site; however, there is no denying that the site is already a commercial enterprise on the basis of the existing change of use permission.

“Furthermore, the site holds a Caravan and Motorhome Club (CMC) ‘Certified Location’ certification, which allows the siting of five caravans without needing planning permission.”

He added: “The principle of development can be both established and supported, by means of making the most efficient use of a currently overgrown grassed area, which is serving little purpose other than having visual detriment to the site.”

The meeting begins at 2pm at Shirehall in Shrewsbury.