RESIDENTS who could be evicted from their dream homes after a three-year planning wrangle say they are "shocked and devastated".
They face an uncertain future after a planning inspector dismissed a second appeal for the 73 holiday homes to remain in permanent occupation at Lakeminster Park in Woodmansey, near Beverley.
Inspector Diane Lewis has dismissed the latest appeal against East Riding Council's refusal of planning permission after concluding it would not violate residents' rights.
The developer, Lakeminster Park Ltd, had appealed for retrospective permission for residential status for the park, while resident Alan Coates appealed on human rights grounds. But the inspector ruled: "Refusal of planning permission is necessary and proportionate in the public interest and no violation against residents' human rights would result."
Elderly residents who retired to the park could face eviction within 18 months.
David Aldcroft, 77, and his wife Norma, 78, have lived at the park since 2009.
He said: "It is quite a shock and devastating.
"We were optimistic, more than we were at the first inquiry, that we would be allowed to stay. I have not even put my name down on the housing list.
"My wife has been diagnosed with cancer and she is undergoing chemotherapy.
"It has been a lot of pressure and stress. A lot of people have been taken ill during the past three years, many with stress-related illnesses.
"I just can't understand why this council has taken the action it has.
"It has become a personal vendetta against the landowner to get him off the land and it has been at the cost of a lot of other people."
Pete Ashcroft, head of planning and development management at the council, said: "We welcome the planning inspector's decision in relation to Lakeminster Park and that the action taken by the council was correct.
"We understand the concerns of the park's residents and, if they have not yet done so, we would strongly advise them to seek independent legal advice on this decision and what options are now open to them.
"The council will now analyse the decision in full before considering whether to comment further."
The ruling follows a three- week public inquiry earlier this summer.
A previous inquiry last year also upheld the council's refusal of permission, but that ruling was quashed after it was found the previous inspector had "erred in law" over the issue of land supply.
A spokesman for Lakeminster Park Ltd said: "Lakeminster Park is very concerned for the residents. We are reviewing the decision and will comment further in due course."
'Three years of stress and worry'Stephen Dillon, a partner at Gosschalks solicitors in Hull, said: "The owners and occupiers of 59 park homes at Lakeminster Park who have instructed Gosschalks to deal with civil claims for them are considering the detail of the decision and processing the implications it has for them.
"After enduring more than three years of stress and worry already since service of the original planning contravention notices, those residents now, at least, have a determination upon which they can base their next decisions.
"As part of those decisions, Gosschalks solicitors has now been instructed to issue High Court proceedings and pursue civil claims to recover losses conservatively estimated at more than £5.5m in total."
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