People running businesses in Woodhall Spa have launched a campaign and petition to save the site, fearing a serious impact on the village economy if the holidaymakers are forced out.

Visitors agree they spend money on all kinds of goods and services while they stay in the village – one woman told the News that in a few days last week her family spent £250 in shops and restaurants.

Another said the caravan park could be ‘a proper little gold mine’.

However, information on the occupancy levels suggests a falling trend in use of the caravan park – down from 31 per cent usage five years ago to 24 per cent last year.

East Lindsey District Council, which has decided to close the site to make way for a national standard croquet centre, said it lost £10,000 in the last five years.

The Caravan Club of Great Britain has also called the site ‘unviable’.

But motorhome visitor Annette Gration told the News it was a ‘jewel of a site’, adding that last week she and her family ate at McCauleys restaurant, bought a Chinese take-away, went to Papworths the butchers for barbecue meats and bought two pairs of shoes in the shoe shop.

She feared closure of the site would be ‘devastating’ for the businesses.

Susan Gill said she was ‘flabbergasted and disappointed’ to learn the site was being cleared for croquet.

“Get it right and Jubilee Park could be a proper little gold mine,” she said, suggesting projects like a fishing lake, rallies, new year events and Christmas breaks during the busy Lincoln Christmas market.

Kate Weston, of Ashbourne, Derbyshire, said the croquet plan was ‘a strange decision’, adding: “I notice that the site does not have its own website and I would not have been aware of its existence had it not been for a fellow camper bringing its sad demise to our attention.”

l Do you think the caravan site is worth saving? Text us on 81800. Start your message with HNNEWS – please include your name and where you are writing from. Calls cost 25p plus the standard network charge or email sean.topham@jpress.co.uk.