A HOLIDAY park’s plans to expand and help bring thousands of visitors to Mersea are set to win approval.

Last year, Parkdean Resorts applied to Colchester Council to convert disused barns at Coopers Beach Holiday Park in East Mersea.

The firm wants to turn the barns into 18 holiday homes and 14 holiday cottages.

The holiday park already has 663 caravans, an entertainment centre, shop, indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

In documents submitted by the resort, it said once the homes and cottages were operational they could bring as many as 4,000 extra visitors to the island.

Now planners at Colchester Council have recommended the bid is approved subject to 21 conditions.

East Mersea Parish Council objected to the plans amid concerns over year round occupancy.

Its comment added: “East Mersea Parish Council objects to any further units be it conversions or new build as the village infrastructure cannot cope with any further units on any of the caravan sites.”

In response the council’s report said: “ The council’s licensing team and enforcement team investigate the site on a bi-annual basis in order to ensure the site is operating in line with the licence.

“The current application does not propose 12 month occupancy and a new planning application would be required to vary any of the conditions.”

A condition is proposed to restrict the period the accommodation can be occupied. It means the new homes and cottages can only be occupied between March 1 and October 31.

They can also be occupied at weekends between November 1 and January 14.

The planning committee will decide next Thursday.