MP slams "appalling behaviour" of Cranmore caravan park owner

That was the question asked by MP Bob Seely at the House of Commons on Wednesday, as he slammed recent tree felling works in Cranmore.

Mr Seely said he found it bizarre character is not a prerequisite for major planning applications.

He said criminal records, poor behaviour, threats to intimidate others and mass tree felling do not appear to factor in decision making.

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While not stating he had done any of these things, he publically named and shamed John Cooper, owner of Silver Glades Caravan Park, after he decimated a copse of trees last month.

Aerial shot of Silver Glades Caravan Park following the tree felling.

The park is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Mr Seely said Mr Cooper did it to build a caravan park extension, and should planning permission come forward, the Isle of Wight Council would be powerless to deny him on the grounds of mass tree felling.

He said: "We cannot turn him down on his appalling behaviour.

"He has gone to ground since then, and it would be nice if he made a public statement to folk on the Isle of Wight on what he is up to.

Silver Glades Caravan Park tree felling.

"Character needs to be part of the planning process, because we know that there are some rogue developers.

• "A disaster" ­— Cranmore residents speak out on tree felling

"I know that this is about planning, but it is also about environmental protection.

"The more layers and safeguards that we can put in to protect landscape, the better."

Mr Seely called for a new clause, which would require Tree Preservation Orders for all mature trees and protected landscapes, calling it a "no-brainer".

Silver Glades Caravan Park.

For Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), he similarly asked for a new clause to close a loophole, wherein SSSIs are being damaged recklessly by people who deliberately game the system.

He said: "I have an SSSI that is about to be concreted over because of a loophole in planning and environmental law.

"There is clearly a problem here, because there is a time limit under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

"It means, if someone has a caravan or temporary home on an SSSI and it is not taken away within a certain timeframe, they can effectively develop that SSSI.

"They may not be able to stick permanent homes on it, but they can stick 200 caravans on it and concrete over the entire SSSI.

"How on earth can that be right?"

Mr Seely made his comments in Parliament, under Parliamentary privilege.

The County Press has made numerous attempts to ask Silver Glades Caravan Park for a statement.