A businessman has been told he can’t build a holiday log cabin next to a lake because of a flood risk.

Daniel Humphrey hoped to build a two-storey two-bedroom chalet holiday let on grassed land behind the site of demolition service business David Humphrey and Son at Cattledyke in Gorefield.

The applicant said: “We propose only one holiday let accommodation as it is less intrusive on the natural wildlife without the disturbance of many holiday makers.

“The existing lakes are large enough to accommodate many log cabins surrounding the lakes but it is proposed only one, due to the disturbance to nature this type of proposal could create.

“The log cabin will be used in conjunction with the existing lakes, providing accommodation for tourists and nature enthusiasts who wish to stay at the lakes and have an open view of the natural area.”

The proposal received one letter of support, which said the development was “a good thing for the local community”, but the site lies within flood zones 2 (medium risk) and 3 (high risk).

Fenland District Council officers, recommending refusal, said: “It is not considered that a single private holiday unit, located in an unsustainable location, would constitute a wider community benefit which would outweigh flood risk implications.

“Whilst the design detailing of the development may be acceptable there are fundamental conflicts with policy concerning the principle of the proposal and flood risk which cannot be overcome.”