A planning application has been submitted to expand Northam Farm Holiday Park in Brean, Somerset, with a proposal to install 60 new holiday lodge pitches on adjacent land. The development would extend the existing park into a neighboring field, with the aim of increasing accommodation capacity in the area following recent changes in the local tourism market.
According to the application, the proposal is partly a response to the closure of the Pontins Brean Sands resort in 2023, which previously accommodated up to 5,000 visitors. The applicant states that the loss of the resort has contributed to reduced visitor numbers and spending in the area, creating a gap in available holiday accommodation.
“The loss of this facility (Pontins) has resulted in a sustained reduction in visitor footfall and secondary spend, adversely affecting local businesses,” the application said.
“The proposed lodges provide a proportionate, sustainable response to this economic need.”
Plans indicate that the new pitches would consist of lodge bases measuring approximately 14 feet by 40 feet. The site is located near existing tourism and leisure facilities, including the current Northam Farm resort, Brean Country Club Golf Course, local fishing lakes, and surrounding agricultural land.
The proposal describes the development as a low-density extension designed to integrate with the landscape while supporting biodiversity and maintaining visitor amenities.
The application also notes that the site lies within flood zone 3, according to The Somerset Leveller. However, it argues that the development may still be appropriate due to the “temporary and removable” nature of the lodges, which could reduce long-term risk compared to permanent structures.
The submission comes during a period of broader challenges for the local tourism sector. In addition to the 2023 closure of Pontins Brean Sands, the Brean Theme Park has experienced financial difficulties, adding pressure to businesses that rely on seasonal visitor traffic in Brean and nearby Burnham-on-Sea.
For operators and investors in the outdoor hospitality sector, the proposal highlights how shifts in local accommodation supply can create opportunities for expansion, particularly when large-scale closures leave unmet demand.
It also illustrates the importance of aligning new developments with planning considerations such as flood risk, environmental integration, and community economic impact.
As local authorities review the application, the outcome may offer insight into how similar markets balance recovery, sustainability, and growth following the loss of major tourism assets.