A proposal has been submitted to expand Mill Farm Camping and Caravan Park in Fiddington, Somerset, by 100 additional pitches to accommodate workers involved in the construction of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station.
The application, submitted by NNB Generation Company (HPC) Ltd, comes as EDF Energy continues to prepare for a projected increase in the Hinkley Point C workforce. The number of people working on the project is expected to reach approximately 15,000 by 2028 as construction activity intensifies.
Mill Farm Camping and Caravan Park, located off Watery Lane between Bridgwater and the Quantock Hills, is already used to house workers associated with the Hinkley Point C development. The site currently contains 443 touring pitches, with all but 52 approved for year-round use. Existing pitches are authorized for use by Hinkley Point C workers through the end of 2026, although an extension of that arrangement is anticipated.
Under the new proposal, the additional pitches would be created on agricultural land to the east of the site’s private access road. Plans also include the construction of a central welfare building containing showers and restroom facilities, along with a recreation area in the southeastern section of the expansion site.
If approved, the 100 new pitches would be available to accommodate Hinkley Point C workers until December 31, 2031, according to Bridgwater Mercury.
A spokesperson for PCL Planning, representing the applicant, said: “This proposal at Mill Farm represents a further opportunity to provide additional accommodation capacity for workers, which would also be beneficial in reducing pressure on the local housing market from workers otherwise looking to access – in particular, private rented sector housing stock.
“It has the added benefits of utilising an existing site that is already established as an appropriate location for Hinkley Point C worker accommodation served by the project’s bus strategy, and having access to on-site services and facilities.
“It also represents significant investment into the site to support the viability of its longer term tourism use as a legacy after the Hinkley Point C project.”
The proposal reflects the broader challenge of housing large construction workforces associated with major infrastructure projects. In Somerset, demand for accommodation is expected to remain elevated as both the Hinkley Point C development and the planned battery manufacturing facility within the Gravity enterprise zone near Puriton and Woolavington continue to progress.
Mill Farm’s location provides access to transportation links supporting the Hinkley Point C workforce. The site is within walking distance of the A39 between Bridgwater and Nether Stowey, where workers can access dedicated bus services operating between nearby Cannington and the power station.
For outdoor hospitality operators, the application highlights how campgrounds, caravan parks, and other accommodation providers can play a role in supporting large-scale infrastructure and industrial developments.
While worker accommodation can provide a stable source of occupancy over multiple years, operators considering similar opportunities may also need to balance long-term workforce demand with future tourism objectives and site legacy planning once major construction projects conclude.
Somerset Council is expected to reach a decision on the application by early autumn 2026. It has not yet been confirmed whether the proposal will be determined by the council’s Planning Committee North or through delegated authority by planning officers.