'Risk to life' flood-prone holiday park to close

A caravan park where flooding poses "a serious risk to life" is set to close later this year.

Cogenhoe Mill near Northampton, which hosts 60 caravans, has suffered several serious floods in recent years.

It was evacuated during the heavy rains of September last year.

The owners, Meadow Bay Villages (MBV), said they are aiming to shut the site this September.

Cogenhoe Mill is described by MBV as having "perfectly situated riverside plots and countryside surroundings", but, as first reported in the Chronicle and Echo, they have decided the picturesque river is making the site too dangerous for residents.

Geoffrey Smith, the chief executive of MBV, said: "Over the past year, the River Nene has experienced numerous major flood events.

"Since acquiring Cogenhoe Mill in spring 2024, we have been deeply concerned about the ongoing flood risks at the site, which pose not only a significant threat to property but also a serious risk to life."

Mr Smith said the company had commissioned an independent specialist report to assess the future viability of the site.

It concluded that closure was the "only realistic option despite extensive recent expenditure to rectify flood damage".

Mr Smith added that residents could move to MBV's larger site nearby, Billing Aquadrome, which is also prone to flooding.

He said: "We have written to caravan owners to inform them of the conclusions of the report and set out the next steps.

"To support them during this transition, we are offering a free relocation to Billing Aquadrome or any suitable site within a 50-mile radius, at no cost."

After the site was evacuated in September, one resident reflected on social media: "Love Cogenhoe mill, the peace and tranquillity is wonderful, had a caravan there for some years, but flooding happened regularly, during my time there the site fees went up and up, and when you're paying through the nose, and the place is closed half the time, it became untenable, unfortunately."

Work is underway to reduce the risk from flooding at Billing Aquadrome, including creating a separate residential area on ground "with an acceptable level of flood risk".

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