A proposed expansion at South Meadows Caravan Park in Belford, Northumberland, has sparked discussion ahead of a decision by Northumberland County Council’s strategic planning committee.
Dunham Leisure Limited has applied to add 199 static caravan pitches and associated infrastructure to the site, which currently has around 300 pitches, including 100 static caravans.
Council planners have recommended approval of the proposal, which will be reviewed during a meeting on Tuesday.
The application has faced opposition from Belford and Middleton Parish Council and the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE). Concerns center on the potential impact of the development on the area’s character and infrastructure.
The parish council has described the plan as “gross over-development,” citing concerns about visual impact on the southern part of Belford, particularly near the Grade I-listed Belford Hall.
Additional objections highlight potential risks to highway safety and the capacity of the Belford Sewage Treatment Plant to handle increased demand.
The CPRE has also expressed reservations, noting that the proposed increase in capacity would significantly affect the site and its surrounding environment. The group raised concerns about the potential for increased human activity to disturb adjacent woodland and pointed to objections submitted by five local residents.
In contrast, the application has received 12 expressions of support. A design and access statement prepared by Savills, representing Dunham Leisure Limited, characterizes the park as “generally quiet and family-friendly.”
To address concerns raised during the application process, the initial request for 237 pitches was reduced, and plans were introduced to convert an existing laundry room into a small shop offering essentials like bread and milk.
According to a report by Chronicle Live, this adjustment aims to meet local needs and reduce trips to nearby stores.
The strategic planning committee will make its decision on the application during its meeting at County Hall in Morpeth.
