A Sheppey holiday park has applied to replace four old chalets and six caravans with nine new chalets which can be used all year round.

It is the first application following Swale council's plan to allow some parks to apply for residential status and has already set alarm bells ringing with parish councillors.

Chalets at Seaview Holiday Park in Warden Bay Road, Leysdown, can already be used 12 months of the year following an earlier planning appeal victory by its owners. Caravans are limited to 10 months from March to October.

Warden parish council has objected. It said: "We are extremely concerned that a further nine chalets are going to be replaced with new units. These additional nine are in effect another nine families living in our area with already over-stretched services."

The council's own Economy and Community Services department supports the move. It said: "This is a well-known premium park with a good trading history of family-focused provision including good amenities, services and facilities. The application demonstrates continuous investment and improvements."

The new chalets will have pitched roofs, double-glazing and central heating.

Seaview was bought by its present owners Wickland Holdings in 1996 and has 89 chalets. Its website says they are being developed into 12-month occupancy "making it an ideal place to holiday, or live, for families, couples and friends."

Its sister sites are Warden Bay Park and Vanity Village. The application will be heard by planners on Thursday, May 28.

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