Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has received a planning application for an extension of Skerries Holiday Park in Portrush, proposing 154 new static caravan pitches.
The application, submitted to the council’s planning department, includes plans for associated amenity space, parking, and landscaping on lands at and southwest of the current park at 126 Dunluce Road.
The submitted Design and Access Statement indicates that the proposed expansion would incorporate the existing park’s access and front portion onto Dunluce Road while extending into two parcels of agricultural land to the southwest. The new areas are partially enclosed on two sides by existing caravans.
The application outlines potential social, economic, and environmental benefits from the development, including a projected £30 million investment in the Portrush area and support for approximately 50 construction jobs during the building phase.
The proposal aims to provide a range of new pitches to accommodate visitors at one of the area’s most frequented holiday parks.
“The proposed site is located within the countryside, outside the settlement development limit on the eastern side of Portrush,” the statement said. It highlighted that Skerries currently offers a mix of accommodation options, including static and touring caravan pitches and camping facilities, making it a popular year-round destination.
The statement also noted that the proposed extension would be well-connected to the local public transport network, and existing footpaths link the site to Portrush town center and nearby shops and services. The area surrounding the site includes open countryside to the south and the Royal Portrush Golf Club to the north and northwest, according to Love Ballymena.
“The proposal will deliver an attractive and discreet holiday park extension in a more informal clustered layout, with a high level of landscaping, in an area expected to have minimal visual impact,” the statement added.
For industry professionals, the proposal illustrates a trend in the outdoor hospitality sector toward expanding high-demand holiday parks through strategic site selection and investment in amenities. Developers can assess similar approaches when considering capacity increases while minimizing visual and environmental impacts.