A site has been cleared with a proposed caravan park development removed following a High Court ruling.  

Work to clear an unauthorised extension at North Denes in Lowestoft has been completed after diggers had moved in over recent weeks.

Lowestoft Journal: Work to remove the unauthorised development from land at North Denes in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick HowesWork to remove the unauthorised development from land at North Denes in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

It comes after East Suffolk Council was granted a High Court injunction in May, which granted the removal of an unauthorised development.

Lowestoft Journal: East Suffolk Council's image of the site Tingdene hoped to develop on. Picture: East Suffolk CouncilEast Suffolk Council's image of the site Tingdene hoped to develop on. Picture: East Suffolk Council (Image: East Suffolk Council)

The council successfully applied to the High Court for an injunction ordering Tingdene (North Denes) Ltd to remove caravan bases, waste soil piles, roadway and a pumping station with settlement tank and pipe works while permanently restoring the site to its previous condition.

Lowestoft Journal: Tingdene had a High Court ruling issued prohibiting their plans to build a 32 caravan extension at North Denes in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick HowesTingdene had a High Court ruling issued prohibiting their plans to build a 32 caravan extension at North Denes in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

On Friday, May 19, High Court judge Mrs Justice Steyn granted East Suffolk Council "an injunction" that ordered the works to be completed "within 90 days".

Lowestoft Journal: North Denes Park in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick HowesNorth Denes Park in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

With Tingdene having until next week to comply with the injunction, a meeting of East Suffolk Council's planning committee north in Riverside, Lowestoft on Tuesday heard the latest progress.

Lowestoft Journal: The site at North Denes in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick HowesThe site at North Denes in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Of the land at North Denes Caravan Park, Mia Glass, the council's enforcement officer, said: "We are pleased to say that it has been complied, except for a small part of planting that is still required, but the majority of the site has been complied with."

The land was previously owned by the former Waveney District Council – now East Suffolk Council - before being transferred to Lowestoft Town Council.

Lowestoft Journal: North Denes Park in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick HowesNorth Denes Park in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

The injunction follows a decision by the Planning Inspectorate in May 2021, to dismiss an appeal by Tingdene against an enforcement notice issued by East Suffolk Council when the unauthorised works were first undertaken in 2019, requiring removal of the development and restoration of the land to its previous state within three months.

Lowestoft Journal: Tingdene North Denes Park in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick HowesTingdene North Denes Park in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

In 1975, a planning application was submitted and approved by the then Waveney District Council for a camping site and roadworks on the land, and for a seasonal tenting and touring caravan site with up to 500 pitches in 1984.

However, the Planning Inspectorate found it had not been demonstrated that the works comprised part of either the 1975 or 1984 permission.