A planning application has been submitted to Westmorland and Furness Council for the development of a 100-unit holiday caravan park on a ten-hectare site in Berrier, near Penrith, Cumbria.
The proposal seeks to change the use of agricultural land to accommodate timber-clad caravans intended for year-round holiday use.
The site is located just east of the Lake District National Park boundary, approximately 500 meters from the Sea to Sea (C2C) cycle route and half a mile from the A66, positioning it strategically for both leisure visitors and cycling tourists.
The planning documents were prepared by Michael Paul Consultancy and outline a design strategy intended to blend the holiday park into the rural landscape while offering what the applicant describes as “high quality accommodation that will meet the expectation of visitors.”
Each caravan would conform to the legal maximum dimensions for static caravans—20 metres long, 6.8 metres wide, and four metres high.
Units would include a private decked area, two dedicated parking spaces, and waste storage designed for one week of use. A service road is planned to provide access throughout the development.
“The purpose of the proposal is to provide self-contained holiday accommodation to enable families to stay for short week-based breaks and enjoy the many attractions and sights in and around the local area,” the planning report states.
The development is expected to support at least ten jobs and contribute an estimated £22,534 annually per unit to the local economy through tourist spending, in addition to an expected rental income of £20,000 per unit.
Some units will feature timber-effect exteriors, and a cycle hire service is included in the proposal, according to News&Star. The inclusion of this amenity is intended to support sustainable travel options and capitalize on the nearby C2C cycle route.
According to the applicant, “The site is a perfect location for visitors and tourists to take short, localised breaks and enjoy the surrounding countryside.”
The proposal also seeks to differentiate itself from existing accommodation offerings in the area, noting that it aims to deliver a higher standard of lodging than what is currently available at nearby Whitbarrow and Beckses sites, without directly competing with the more conventional Whitbarrow Hotel.
If approved, the project would expand the region’s outdoor hospitality offerings, particularly for the growing segment of self-contained, short-stay holidaymakers.
For professionals in the outdoor hospitality industry, this project highlights the importance of aligning site selection and design with regional tourism assets such as cycle routes and natural landscapes.
It also reflects the growing demand for hybrid accommodation models that combine traditional caravan park features with elevated design and amenities.