Holiday camp is not for asylum seekers

Construction work is currently being undertaken at a cliff-top holiday camp, and assurances have been made that it will again become a tourist destination.

Martin Pollard, of the Axis consultancy, agents for owners Encore Leisure Propco, dispelled a recent post on social media claiming the site could be used to house asylum seekers. As part of a statement withdrawing a previous application and confirming new plans will be submitted, he said: “This work is necessary to ensure that the site can legally and functionally operate as a holiday resort, but also contributes to it becoming commercially viable as a business that is attractive to holiday users and creates permanent employment for the region.

“To achieve this fully and following positive conversations with both Brighstone and Shorwell parish councils, relatively minor but absolutely vital amendments to the original planning application are required and will be sought in a new planning application.

“In this regard, we are also actively seeking a meeting with the planning and National Landscape officers to see how we can address their specific queries and concerns.

“Finally, to be clear, and contrary to recent comments on social media, as part of that process there has been no consideration for the use of this site by those seeking asylum.”