Browns Caravan Park in Cayton, near Scarborough, has submitted a planning application to North Yorkshire Council outlining proposals for a redevelopment that includes new glamping accommodation, a fishing lake, and upgrades to existing facilities.
The plans, lodged in late 2024, seek approval to demolish older buildings, remodel the on-site pub, and expand the range of visitor amenities.
According to the application, the redevelopment intends to “remodel, diversify, and expand” the business through a combination of new accommodation units and enhanced leisure offerings.
The scheme includes seven glamping pods, four one-bed overnight rooms, and 28 new parking spaces. The glamping pods would be placed on an unused parcel of land at the north-west corner of the site.
The proposal also features a new fishing lake positioned between the main site hub and the glamping area. The applicant described the lake as a “new environmental facility,” with assurances that it would not be used for motorised boats or swimming.
Instead, it would serve “purely for environmental and recreational fishing purposes.” A small boathouse is planned for the southern edge of the lake.
Significant changes are proposed for the existing pub building, which would receive a two-storey extension. Plans indicate the addition of new bar and restaurant areas, relocated toilets, an expanded dining room, leisure facilities, an ice cream servery, a tearoom, and four accommodation rooms.
The applicant noted that “the development, when completed, will provide much improved facilities, albeit over a greater floor area closely associated with the public house, garden, and parking area and wider park”.
In its planning statement, the applicant said there is “significant demand for this type of facility with supporting facilities and accommodation in the local area, and there is limited competition for this mixed-use proposal”.
The submission also argues that the park’s “out-of-date ancillary facilities hamper the capacity of the site” and that the redevelopment would establish “a sustainable business model and allow it to succeed in the future”, with “any profit… channelled back into the site to support a prosperous rural economy”.
For business owners in the outdoor hospitality sector, the proposal reflects a growing trend toward mixed-use and experience-driven developments that combine traditional caravan pitches with glamping, on-site food service, and recreational amenities.
If approved, the project could illustrate how established parks in mature tourist regions are adapting to rising consumer demand for varied accommodation formats and diversified revenue streams.
According to The Scarborough News, the North Yorkshire Council has not yet announced a decision date. The application remains open for public representations.