LOCALS are furious after it was revealed that a popular theme park has been operating for at least three decades without planning permission.
Watermouth Castle near Ilfracombe, Devon, has become one of the region’s most visited tourist hot spots.
The amusement park boasts a water ride, carousel and model railway and is neatly perched in an area of outstanding natural beauty.
However, it appears that the business was never granted planning permission and has been trading illegally.
That hasn’t stopped North Devon District Council approving a number of fresh planning applications to extend the theme park and install new rides.
Huge signs at the castle entrance advertise the castle but the issue came to light when the property was sold to a new owner – amusement park operator The Escapade Group – last year.
The theme park has since been granted a ‘lawful development certificate’ licence from the council, approved in September 2023, but locals have fumed that it went unlicensed for so long.
“It’s the council’s fault for not keeping on top of it,” resident Jane Scoates seethed.
They have had a huge sign outside advertising the amusement park for years.
“North Devon District Council need to be chastised if they aren’t properly regulating local attractions, I am pleased they have now approved the licence.”
The castle has long been a popular point of interest for locals around North Devon.
Vince Irwin, 56, who owns OSKC Watersports in nearby Combe Martin, said: “Watermouth Castle has always been a major attraction for North Devon.
“I used to go as a kid and I have taken my kids there.
“It’s always been in the top five or six employers in the area.
“I wouldn’t necessarily classify it as a theme park but everybody has always known they have some rides there.
“It was bought by some new owners last year so I wonder whether they have ambitions of turning it into more of a theme park which may be how they found out.”
Resident Rob Morgan revealed his family history is intertwined with the castle after his grandfather was treated there after being wounded during the First World War.
Mr Morgan said: “We have taken our children there and our grandchildren.
“It’s an integral part of this community and the previous owner used to used to support the school fare and would bring a wurlitzer down.”
His wife Margaret added: “It’s a great part of our community, it brings jobs and tourism to the area, it’s very surprising to hear the theme park was unlawful.”
Before its takeover last year Watermouth Castle – which only dates back to the mid-19th Century and is actually a country house designed to look like a castle – was operated by the same owner for 45 years.
Under planning rules, the council can’t force businesses to close if land has been continually used for another purpose for more than 10 years.
Council Planning officers said: “On the balance of probabilities and having taken into account all the information that is before the council, none of which casts doubt on the applicant’s submissions, it is evident that the property has been used as an amusement park since at least the 1990s”.
Following the takeover last year Richard Farley, director of Escapade, said: “We are excited to have secured this prime visitor attraction which rarely come to the market.
“It has been successfully operated by the Haines family since 1977 and our plan is to continue to trade this leisure facility in a similar fashion whilst also investing in further attractions.”
Cllr Millie Earl, Deputy Leader of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council and Portfolio Holder for Connected Communities said:
“We are awaiting the results of the police investigation into the most recent incident in the area on Boxing Day, and our thoughts are with those injured and their families at this difficult time.
“Once Dorset Police provide their report on this incident, their information will be used alongside additional data to consider the safety position further.
“Our team regularly review all collisions that result in casualties across the conurbation and examine all sites where safety concerns have been raised by members of the public.
“As it stands, none of the roads on the Peninsula currently meet our criteria for further measures.
“Factors that may be considered during such a review include the frequency of road collisions in the area and their severity and cause, plus the geometry of the road and the impact of any engineering required to promote lower speeds.
“With the current financial pressures facing all local authorities, we must also be certain we are spending taxpayers’ money in areas of BCP where it will be most effective in reducing casualties.”
The Sun has reached out to the Escapade Group for comment.
