Avid Projects Ltd has received planning permission to develop a campervan and motorhome park at Craobh Haven, along the A816 between Oban and Lochgilphead in Scotland. The approved proposal includes 22 campervan pitches, an area for 10 tent camping pitches, and a static caravan designated for staff accommodation.
The local council granted permission following its assessment of the application, which received seven expressions of public support and three neutral representations. No objections were mentioned in the available information.
The development site has a history of caravan park use dating back to the 1980s. That operation eventually ceased after the owners became insolvent. Holt Leisure Group subsequently took over the site, followed by Avid Marinas Ltd in 2025. The latest proposal, submitted by Avid Projects Ltd, would bring the property back into use for outdoor accommodation.
According to the West Coast Today, the site had previously been designated for housing in an earlier Local Development Plan. However, that allocation was not advanced, and the land remained undeveloped. The housing designation was subsequently omitted from the council’s adopted Local Development Plan 2.
The submitted plans divide the proposed campervan and motorhome area into pitches of two sizes. Fifteen pitches would measure 10 meters by 10 meters, providing space for larger motorhomes, while seven pitches measuring 8 meters by 10 meters would accommodate smaller campervans. The pitches would be arranged in a linear layout and served by an internal access track. The proposed surfaces would consist of gravel hardstanding and grass.
An additional area would accommodate 10 camping pitches for tents, expanding the site’s offering beyond vehicle-based stays. A static caravan is also proposed along the northern boundary to provide accommodation for staff responsible for operating and managing the park.
The council’s assessment considered the submitted planning statement, landscape and visual impact assessment (LVIA), and visualizations. The planning officer concluded that the application had adequately demonstrated the site’s suitability for the proposed development.
The report stated: “Officers are satisfied, through their assessment of the proposal, including consideration of the LVIA, visualisations and planning statement, that it has been adequately demonstrated that the site represents an appropriate opportunity for the proposed campervan/motorhome park.”
For outdoor hospitality operators, the approved plans illustrate how a site can combine different accommodation formats to serve a broader range of visitors. Providing separate pitches for larger motorhomes and smaller campervans, alongside tent camping, could help operators address varying vehicle sizes and camping preferences within a single property. The inclusion of dedicated staff accommodation also highlights an operational consideration for sites where on-site management is part of the business model.
The proposal’s planning history also underscores the importance of reviewing a property’s current land-use designation rather than relying solely on previous development allocations. Although the site had once been identified for housing, that designation was not retained in the adopted plan. For campground and RV park developers, understanding a property’s planning status, landscape considerations, access arrangements, and proposed operational facilities can help inform development decisions and the preparation of planning applications.
The available information does not specify a construction schedule, opening date, proposed nightly rates, or projected visitor capacity beyond the planned pitches. These details will be relevant in determining when the site could begin operating and how the development may contribute to the local tourism accommodation market.
