An extension of the successful Stretton Lakes holiday and fishing park has been rejected by Rutland County Council.

Applicants Mr and Mrs R Needham sought to build 24 pitches for touring caravans and create an extra fishing lake on 3.6ha of 'low quality' farmland off Clipsham Road, Stretton.

Stretton Lakes, continued the application, has been developed over the past years, with a large working farm diversifying to have planning approval for seven lodges (three of which have been built) and a 'certified location' for five caravans.

There are also six fishing lakes and the development has won four and five star Gold Awards.

Having touring caravan sites and an extra lake would help diversify the business, which has already been 'turning away' such potential custom, it added.

A council report said despite concerns over access, Stretton Parish Council backed the extension.

However, the Environment Agency opposed the use of a non-main foul sewage system, when a connection existed 400m away, which the application said was uneconomic to use.

Planning officers said the location of the extension was 'unsustainable' as it would generate extra traffic. It was beyond the settlement limits of Clipsham and Stretton, and would use farmland.

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Their report added there was also insufficient evidence of a business or community need for the extra development.