A PLAN to extend a caravan park could still be allowed to go ahead after the owners appealed to a government inspector to overturn the council's refusal.

Wychavon District Council refused a plan by Offenham Caravan Park near Evesham and next to the River Avon to host up to 108 static caravans on its land over fears it would flood.

The park, between Cleeve Road and Three Cocks Road in Offenham already has permission for 116 caravans which was granted in 2006, and with 78 caravans already on site, 38 static caravans could be placed on the site without the need for planning permission but the owners wanted to extend the site and change where the caravans would be located to the north rather than the south.

The owners of the caravan park also said they wanted to keep the park 'spacious' hence the desire to extend to the north rather than trying to fit the remaining caravans to the south.

Council planning officers rejected the plan in March over fears the site would flood - as the land was in anarea with a very high risk of flooding - which has resulted in the owners taking their case to the government's planning inspectorate to argue it should be overturned.

Representations are expected by the end of August with a decision likely to be made before the end of the year.

The Environment Agency had also objected to the plan over flooding fears saying it was inappropriate to build anything in a floodplain.

The Environment Agency also said the site had flooded in November last year, floodwater was on the site during its visit in February and had most likely flooded during major flooding which hit the whole county later that month.

Offenham Parish Council said it was concerned by the high flood risk if the caravan park was allowed to expand.