Cheverton Copse Holiday Park, located near Lake on the Isle of Wight, has received approval from local planning authorities to replace 17 of its touring pitches with new luxury holiday lodges.
The decision, aimed at addressing the ongoing decline in traditional tourism on the island, follows a formal application submitted by site owner Mike Haslin.
The proposal includes the installation of 17 two- to three-bedroom lodges and the development of a new amenity block, along with associated parking and supporting infrastructure.
According to Island Echo, the planning application was supported by a Design, Access and Planning Statement prepared by Robert Gray Design, which outlined the rationale for the changes and their potential economic benefits.
“The scheme would create employment and contribute a significant amount to the local rural economy, which is heavily dependent on the tourist trade, and would help to support other local attractions, public houses, restaurants, and convenience stores in the locality,” the planning statement noted.
According to the application, the number of visitors seeking touring and camping pitches at Cheverton Park has decreased significantly, with fewer enquiries recorded for the 2025 season.
The decline follows a broader trend in tourism downturns on the Isle of Wight, first seen in 2023 and continuing into 2024.
In response, the park’s management is shifting focus to the lodge segment of the market, which they describe as more resilient and currently showing signs of growth.
“To seek to reverse this situation, the directors of Cheverton Park have decided to replace 17 of the approved serviced touring pitches with 17 two-to-three-bedroom holiday lodges, as this sector of the holiday market remains stable and, from current enquiries, is likely to increase going forward,” the statement added.
The Isle of Wight Council, in its report on the application, acknowledged that the proposed development would alter the character of the site.
However, it concluded that the change was justified given the anticipated economic benefits and the limited deviation from previously approved plans.
“Having given due regard and appropriate weight to all material considerations, officers acknowledge that the proposed development would result in a change to the character of the area,” the council stated.
“However, when considering this change against the harm and the economic benefits which would result… officers consider the application would accord with policies contained within the Island Plan and would be acceptable.”
Twelve planning conditions were attached to the approval to address concerns related to planning policy compliance, visual impact, highway safety, tourism sustainability, and flood risk.
For business owners in the outdoor hospitality sector, this decision reflects a broader trend: traditional touring options are increasingly giving way to more permanent, higher-end accommodations.
Operators facing similar declines in touring bookings might consider whether a shift toward lodge-style accommodations could offer a more sustainable business model, particularly in markets showing signs of changing traveler preferences.