The Camping and Caravanning Club has submitted plans to upgrade its Beadnell Bay site on the Northumberland coast, with proposals that could impact the site’s operations and visitor experience.
The application, submitted to Northumberland County Council, outlines several planned improvements, including the conversion of grass pitches to 45 all-weather pitches and the demolition and redevelopment of the main amenity block.
The club is also seeking the option for year-round opening. Currently, the site operates under a planning condition that restricts use between January 9 and March 9.
Additional proposals include constructing a new tractor shed, relocating the children’s play area to a more central location, and extending a second amenity block. A planning report submitted on behalf of the club states:
“As a result of an increase in demand and the number of visitors visiting the site each year, there is a need to deliver a range of works on site, including upgrading existing pitches and on-site facilities. In addition, with the rise in year-round tourism, The Camping and Caravanning Club would like the option to be able to open to their visitors on a 12-month basis.”
”Furthermore, the club have recently acquired some additional land immediately adjacent to the existing site, which they propose to operate under their permitted development and exemption rights for tented camping.”
The Beadnell Bay site, located next to the B1340 between Beadnell and Seahouses, has been operated by the club since 2012. The planning submission also references the economic contribution of campsites, citing a 2019 report by the UK Caravan and Camping Alliance, which estimated off-site visitor spend at an average of £46 per day.
The report notes: “On a site of 150 pitches such as the current Beadnell Bay site, assuming a 60% occupancy for a total of 150 nights per year, this would equate to a potential benefit for the local economy of £621,000 per annum.”
According to the Northumberland Resort, the planning report emphasizes that the proposals involve minor improvements to an established site and do not increase the total number of pitches or the visitor capacity.
For outdoor hospitality operators, the case highlights how incremental site upgrades, such as all-weather pitches and enhanced amenities, can align with growing year-round tourism demand while contributing to local economies.