Rudyard Vale Caravan Park has been granted approval to operate year-round, following a decision by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.
The decision marks a shift from the previous planning condition, which restricted the 40-pitch site to a 10-month annual operation. In addition to lifting the seasonal restriction, the council has also approved a request to allow larger static caravans on the site.
The planning application was met with objections from some local residents, who expressed concerns about potential increases in noise, traffic, and the overall impact on the surrounding community.
Speaking on behalf of objectors, Councillor Jo Cox cited the site’s unique acoustics as a factor contributing to disturbances.
“As you can imagine in the summer, people sitting out at night and are in high spirits,” she told StokeonTrentLive.
“The topography of the site acts like an amphitheatre, which in turn has had an effect on the local residents’ quality of life. At least in winter, when the park is closed for two months, calm returns to the neighbourhood and gives residents in the surrounding properties some respite.”
Darrell Wood, a local resident, questioned the designation of some caravan users as tourists. “It is laughable to suggest that these people in the caravan site are tourists,” he said.
“I live there 365 days a year, I behave like a resident, I spend like a resident. People who buy these caravans and stay there all year round will have the same spending profile and the same impact on tourism as I do.”
In support of the application, planning agent David Breakwell emphasized the site’s long history as a caravan park, noting that operations date back to 1961.
“The site is an established caravan site, with 40 static caravans,” he said. “It also proposes an extension to the period in which these can operate. The current use benefits from a planning permission in 1994 – 31 years ago.”
Park owner Mark Burnside described the proposal as part of a broader revitalization strategy.
“This isn’t just a business for me, it’s an opportunity,” he said. “I’ve already invested £1.2 million in the purchase alone, and substantial funds set aside to continue the transformation, all being spent with local trades and local suppliers. This isn’t an expansion, it is a revitalisation to modern standards.”
Councillor Keith Hoptroff, speaking in support of the project, said:
“The proposal puts the new pitches at a lower level than the statics at the moment. So in my opinion that doesn’t affect the landscape too much. There are a lot of trees around it and it will tidy up the site somewhat and make it more sustainable for many years to come.”
The planning committee ultimately voted in favor of the application.
For business owners in the outdoor hospitality sector, the approval signals a trend toward more flexible, year-round operations that may offer enhanced revenue stability.
It also underscores the importance of considering both community impact and investment in park infrastructure when pursuing planning modifications.