Plan for Barmby Moor tourism park and petting zoo rejected

As The Press previously reported, the program was spearheaded by a family business that includes 17-year-old director Monty Low, appointed last June, and 50-year-old Wayne Paul Low as a second director.

The site was intended to be located near the village of Barmby Moor, near Pocklington, and was planned to create more than 60 permanent jobs and provide a multi-million pound annual boost to the area’s local economy.

However, East Riding of Yorkshire Council has refused planning permission, saying the proposal involves a significant amount of new developments and buildings in the open countryside.

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They say: “The development would not support any existing attraction and there is no functional need to be on the land, nor would it utilize existing buildings or represent an agricultural diversification program.”

“It would also permanently undermine the open rural character of the site and disrespect the intrinsic rural character of the site. The proposal would therefore constitute an unreasonable interference with the landscape.”

Located on 6.6 hectares of low-quality agricultural land adjacent to Back Lane and the A1079, the park would house 95 holiday cottages, a reception building, a shop, a cafe, a petting zoo and two large lakes.

Beverley-based company Montgomery Holdings Yorkshire Ltd, which is behind the project, says it has extensive experience in the UK leisure industry.

Company records show the family’s involvement in other ventures.

And Monty Low previously said: “The park will be one of the most modern of its kind in the north and will be developed to become an integral part of the local community and harmonize with the local landscape, environment and wildlife.

“Screening will be implemented along the western boundary of the site and upon completion there will still be a significant buffer of green space between the village and the Pocklington Industrial Estate.

“The project will, by its very presence, preclude any possibility of residential development on the site in the coming years and all traffic will have easy access to the A1079, reducing major impacts on village routes.”

However, planners said: “The site is located on a prominent edge of the town, is relatively flat and open and is visible from north and south access via the A1079 and from Back Lane.”

“The open nature of the countryside plays an important role in maintaining the separation between Barmby Moor and Pocklington and preventing settlements from growing together.”

“The proposal would introduce an alien and dominant feature that would not suit its rural surroundings. It would be a prominent feature in the landscape, particularly when viewed from the A1079 and Back Lane, due to the flat and open nature of the site and the height and scale of the development. It would completely change the open character of the site.”