Theme park dubbed “unlawful” gets permission to continue

Site has been operating for more than ten years

An amusement park in North Devon created without planning consent has been allowed to continue because it’s been there more than 10 years.

North Devon Council has issued a ‘lawful development certificate’ to allow land at Watermouth Castle near Ilfracombe to be used as an amusement park, even though it’s been there since the 1990s. Until now, it hasn’t had permission to be in business there.

Under planning rules, the council can’t enforce planning rules if land has been continually used for another purpose for more than a decade.

The 10-year rule covers land or buildings, but not homes, which are subject to a four-year rule.

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”.

The application was made by Nick de Candole of The Escapade Group Ltd who took over the attraction earlier this year.

Since the 1970s the Grade II* listed Watermouth Castle, built in 1825, has been a tourist location and its 64 acre estate has holiday apartments, a museum and ‘Dungeon Labyrinth’ in the castle, underground theatre in the courtyard and an outdoor theme park with a wide range of play areas and rides and gardens.

The castle is in an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) and has views across the North Devon coast and Bristol Channel.