Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has advanced early-stage plans to expand capacity at Benone Holiday and Leisure Park, as part of a broader review of infrastructure and visitor experience at the site.
The proposal was discussed during the council’s Leisure and Development Committee meeting in April, where members were asked to approve the initiation of Stage 1 of the council’s Capital Investment Process.
Stage 1 will include scoping work, feasibility analysis, and the development of an outline business case to assess the viability of infrastructure improvements. Central to the proposal is the potential addition of up to 70 new touring caravan pitches, alongside a refurbishment of the existing park layout.
According to an officer’s report presented to the committee, the park currently accommodates 95 touring pitches within a relatively confined footprint. During peak periods, this has resulted in what the report described as a “congested experience” for visitors.
The council’s proposal seeks to address this by reconfiguring the existing layout to reduce pitch density while also exploring expansion opportunities.
The report added: “As much of the infrastructure and staffing arrangements are geared towards servicing touring and motorhome provision, economies of scale could be achieved through the proposal for an additional 70 touring sites, subject to a feasibility assessment.
“As part of the Stage 1 process, additional work will be to assess the requirement for additional/refurbishment of shower and amenity facilities, and it is proposed that two of the six standard camping cabins will be replaced by fully accessible units constructed to full Changing Places standards.”
Elected officials expressed support for moving the proposal forward to the feasibility stage, according to Northern Ireland World. DUP Alderman Mark Fielding seconded a proposal introduced by DUP colleague Steven Callaghan and highlighted competitive pressures within the local market.
“The expansion of 70 tourist sites would be welcome,” he added. “Other sites, other private caravan parks across the borough are expanding their numbers, and since Covid, there has been an increase in buying caravans, so I think this has to be welcomed.”
The proposal comes amid sustained demand growth for caravan and motorhome travel following the COVID-19 pandemic, which has influenced purchasing trends and occupancy levels across many markets.
For operators in the outdoor hospitality sector, the Benone project reflects a common challenge: balancing capacity expansion with guest experience and infrastructure limitations.
If approved in later stages, the plan could provide a case study for how public-sector operators approach phased investment decisions, particularly in managing peak demand while upgrading aging facilities.
For private operators, the emphasis on feasibility assessment and phased capital planning highlights the importance of aligning expansion strategies with operational capacity, staffing models, and guest expectations around space and amenities.
The outcome of the Stage 1 process, including feasibility findings and cost considerations, is expected to inform whether the project progresses to subsequent investment stages.