Plans have been submitted for a five-pitch woodland caravan and camping site near Weston Shore in Southampton, with developers seeking to formally reinstate a small campsite that previously operated under a Caravan Club certificate before enforcement concerns led to its closure.
The application relates to land at Weston Parade near Westwood Woodland Park, where applicants propose creating five caravan pitches positioned among existing woodland.
Planning documents describe the site as secluded and historically significant, noting that the land once formed part of the estate connected to Netley Abbey before later being used as coppice woodland and shooting grounds.
According to the submitted plans, the proposal would retain an existing amenity building to serve as a communal day room for campers during poor weather conditions. The documents also reference the site’s previous operation as the “Ocean House caravan site,” which applicants say attracted visitors seeking a quieter camping experience close to the waterfront.
Developers argue that Southampton currently has limited countryside caravan accommodations within close proximity to local attractions such as Weston Shore and Westwood Woodland Park.
According to the Daily Echo, the planning statement says visitors looking for similar accommodation are often directed to sites much farther away, including locations in Surrey and Basingstoke.
Applicants also contend that reopening the site could support local tourism activity around Southampton’s waterfront while resolving outstanding planning enforcement matters associated with the property. The proposal arrives amid ongoing discussions around caravan use and parking management in the Weston Shore area.
In November last year, Southampton City Council introduced parking restrictions on Weston Parade following complaints about caravans remaining parked along the waterfront for extended periods.
The measures included waiting restrictions, daytime parking limits, and overnight parking bans in nearby parking areas. The council also offered permanent housing support to individuals who had been living in caravans in the area.
Councillor Warwick Payne, who represents the Woolston area, said the situation had improved since the restrictions were implemented.
He said: “I understand the land owner wanted to build a home there and was advised that an application like that was not likely.
“No residents have so far been in touch with me about the application.
“The caravan issues on Weston Shore that plagued last summer have been resolved since the council introduced the new parking restrictions.”
Applicants noted in planning documents that the former campsite had received positive online reviews, including feedback highlighting the site’s quiet setting, proximity to the sea, and wheelchair accessibility.
For outdoor hospitality operators, the proposal reflects continued interest in small-scale, low-density camping developments that emphasize natural surroundings and proximity to urban tourism markets.
The application also highlights how former or dormant caravan sites may represent redevelopment opportunities, particularly in areas where local authorities are balancing tourism growth with parking management and residential concerns. Industry professionals may also note the project’s focus on adaptive reuse of existing amenities and its positioning as an alternative to larger destination parks.