Gorse Hill Caravan and Lodge Park, a well-established holiday park in Conwy, Wales, is planning to expand its site with the addition of 22 new static caravans. This move comes as part of a broader strategy to meet the growing demand for caravan and lodge accommodations in the area.
For caravan and holiday park operators, this development signals a potential shift in the market dynamics and offers insights into the evolving landscape of the caravan industry.
Founded in 1954, Gorse Hill Caravan and Lodge Park has been a staple in the Conwy community for decades. Currently, the park houses 270 caravans and lodges. However, the owners are keen on expanding their offerings to cater to a larger audience.
It’s worth noting that the park has previously had expansion plans turned down, according to Daily Post, as published by MSN. Despite these setbacks, the owners are optimistic about securing the necessary permissions for the proposed expansion this time around.
The Proposal
According to the proposal, the park aims to extend into fields adjacent to Baclaw Lane. The expansion would involve the construction of 22 new units, and two existing dwellings would be demolished to make way for the new caravans.
Gorse Hill has initiated a pre-application consultation for the new plans. The application is being handled by Agent Cadnant Planning. Rhys Davies, from Cadnant Planning, stated in a planning document that caravan and mobile home parks are an accepted part of the rural landscape in Wales and Conwy.
Landscape Compatibility
Davies emphasized that Gorse Hill is well-screened and barely visible in the wider landscape, contrasting it with other more expansive, regimented caravan park developments along the coastal fringes.
Gorse Hill Caravan and Lodge Park has been lauded for its contribution to the local economy. Davies noted that the park encourages high customer spending in a sustainable manner, bringing new investment into the area.
The park has been instrumental in retaining tourists who were considering larger units outside the county, such as at Plas Coch in Anglesey and The Warren in Abersoch. Davies stated that the process of continuous improvement is essential to keep high-spending tourists in the area.
Government Support
Davies added that tourism is a significant part of the Welsh Government’s plan for post-Covid-19 recovery. The proposed units would expand the existing site and could be quickly developed to provide additional accommodation.
The expansion is expected to benefit the local economy by providing additional support to local businesses and cultural facilities in the area.
The public has been invited to comment on the proposed development. Feedback can be submitted via email to [email protected], and the deadline for responses is October 9.