ROSS-on-Wye Rowing Club is seeking a Certificate of Lawfulness in respect of its use of land adjacent the clubhouse, known as Stock Meadow, as a seasonal venue for camping.

A statutory declaration has been made by a rowing club member, who states that it has been used in this context for approximately 50 years and that camping from the late 1990s also included use by caravans, tents, campervans and motorhomes.

The club’s treasurer confirmed this using camping receipts and that the season ran between Easter and the end of September each year.

A previous Certificate of Lawfulness only recognised that Stock Meadow had only been registered for camping. It was subsequently recognised that this description, in referring only to camping, was not accurate to the extent it did not portray the full extent of the use and might therefore lead to confusion as to the true, lawful use of the land.

The purpose of this updated application is to clarify the nature of its official use as a seasonal venue for camping, comprising use by tents, caravans and motorhomes.

The four-hectare parcel of land is located to the rear of the clubhouse and has been used for community events, including the annual firework display.

The season is typically between Easter, which can be as early as March 22, and the end of September and provides financial support for the club and contributes to the running costs and purchase of equipment.

Ross Rowing Club originally purchased Stock Meadow from a private landowner on the basis that the rowing club would make the area of land available for general community use, which it has done.

Comments can be made on the application, number P251176/U online at Herefordshire Council’s planning portal.