Drayton only have to get planning permission for things that needs to be built or installed on green belt land. They were granted permission back in 2020 to build on the land that Vikings now sits on.
Been researching and found out this information;
Any proposal for major development within Drayton Manor Park will need to be considered on a comprehensive basis in the context of a planning brief and masterplan for the whole site. The Council will consider applications for development at Drayton Manor Park favourably, where:
- Such development would upgrade and improve the viability of the attraction;
- They address the potential for wet woodland and grassland restoration and re-creation;
- They are appropriate to its function as a major tourism destination;
- Make a positive contribution to the local economy;
- They are acceptable taking into account its location within the Green Belt; and
- They are compatible with the local infrastructure network.
Explanation
14.19 Our evidence tells us that Drayton Manor Park forms an integral part of the Tourism Strategy for Lichfield district and Staffordshire providing a regionally significant tourist destination and encouraging overnight stays which benefits other attractions in Lichfield district and Tamworth. The attraction also is the 9th largest employer within Lichfield district.
14.20 Due to the nature of a theme park and zoo, much of the site is open in nature being made up of rides and large open air animal enclosures. Also within the site are areas which largely comprise of substantial permanent buildings such as the hotel and conference facilities. Opportunities exist within these sections of previously developed land, for their improvement and development of further facilities to support the continued operation of the site. Our evidence suggests that there are opportunities for the site to deliver objectives for biodiversity connectivity enhancements.
14.21 Whilst important, our evidence supports the position that there are no exceptional circumstances which justify removing the site from the Green Belt. To ensure we can plan positively and provide certainty our policy supports the infilling or the partial or complete redevelopment of previously developed land, within the park whether redundant or in continuing use, where this would not have a greater impact upon the openness of the Green Belt than the existing development.
14.22 The nature recovery network connectivity mapping identifies an opportunity for the improvement/creation of grassland and wetland where appropriate. Through a master-plan opportunities can be identified and safeguarded for the long term with the benefit of existing habitats that can be enhanced as appropriate.
14.23 The master-plan will ensure that development is not brought forward incrementally and that we can ensure our district is able to benefit from co-ordinated positive impacts, in particular those identified in our Tourism Strategy and biodiversity connectivity evidence.
What you told us:
14.24 Respondents have expressed the need for Drayton Manor Park to continually invest in its provision to enable the attraction to continue to contribute to the visitor economy within our district. Certainty is required to secure investment in identified long term ambitions. Drayton Manor Park has prepared an outline of their ambitions and substantial further work is required in order to provide a planning brief and master-plan which delivers the ambitions of the local plan and can deliver sustainable development.
