Hillcroft Park in Pooley Bridge near Penrith has applied for permission to operate a temporary summer campsite for up to 60 days during the 2026 season, according to documents submitted to the Lake District National Park Authority.
The application has been made under provisions introduced through the Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Order 2023, which allows land to be used as a recreational campsite for up to 60 days annually, subject to specific conditions. Those conditions include limits of no more than 50 pitches and the provision of moveable toilet and waste facilities.
Site owners Mr. and Mrs. Heath are seeking approval to use additional land at Hillcroft Park for temporary camping between May and September. According to the submission, the business intends to operate the temporary campsite from May 22 to May 31 and again from July 17 to September 4 if approval is granted before May 18. If a decision is issued after May 18, the proposed operating period would instead run from July 9 to September 6.
The planning notification states that portable toilet and washing facilities would be supplied by Lakes Loos Ltd. The units would contain integral waste storage tanks, with wastewater collected and transported off-site for disposal at United Utilities Wastewater facilities in Kendal.
Hillcroft Park currently offers a range of accommodation options, including camping pitches, glamping pods, lodges, and touring motorhome spaces throughout the year. The business describes itself as a “modern holiday park, attractively landscaped with all the amenities you will need.”
The proposal comes as many outdoor hospitality operators across the United Kingdom continue to explore seasonal expansion opportunities to meet summer travel demand while working within updated planning regulations.
For campground, caravan park, and glamping business owners, the 60-day campsite provision has become an area of growing interest because it can allow operators to increase short-term capacity during peak tourism periods without pursuing permanent site expansion.
However, operators considering similar arrangements must still comply with local authority requirements relating to sanitation, waste management, environmental impact, and pitch limitations.
Hillcroft Park has also received positive customer feedback through online review platforms, according to The News & Star. One visitor described the property as a “fabulous campsite” and said it was “clean, friendly, safe, awesome new park for kiddies with amazing wood-fired pizza.”
“The lovely owners of the pizza van also rescued our escapee dog and kindly looked after him until we returned to our pod.”
“Highly recommend this lovely place, would return every weekend if I could!”
The Lake District National Park Authority has not yet announced a decision on the application.