A proposal to relocate nearly 50 caravans to a holiday park in Ceredigion has drawn attention at the county level, with permission granted for a local councillor to speak on the matter despite a declared conflict of interest.
The development plan, led by Vale Holiday Parks Ltd, aims to transfer 17 caravans from Wern Mill Caravan Park in Gilfachrheda and 30 caravans from The Village Holiday Park in Cross Inn to Ocean Heights Holiday Park, located approximately 1.6 miles from New Quay along the A486.
The plans were made public earlier this year through a pre-application consultation handled by Geraint John Planning Ltd, which has since closed.
While no formal planning application has yet been published by Ceredigion County Council, the proposal outlines the addition of 47 pitches to the existing 103-unit Ocean Heights site. Supporting infrastructure includes 94 parking spaces, revised access routes, and landscaping.
According to a statement submitted during the consultation, the new units would represent a “natural extension to the existing Ocean Heights Park,” with the relocation intended to consolidate operations.
The same document noted that no active units would be lost at the Wern Mill site, as those caravans, while approved, had not yet been installed. It also indicated the redevelopment would create new green space at the Cross Inn location.
The scheme is described in the supporting material as a “low-density” plan with “adequate spacing between units,” and comprising “low impact and one-storey” caravans.
Regarding traffic, the statement suggests that, despite an expected increase in turning movements at the access point, relocating existing units would mean “no material increase in traffic on the local highway network.”
On July 16, Ceredigion County Council’s ethics and standards committee met to consider a request from Councillor Matthew Vaux, the county representative for New Quay and a Cabinet member, to speak on the application when it comes before planning.
Cllr Vaux, who also serves on New Quay Town Council and Llanllwchaearn Community Council, declared a prejudicial interest based on a business easement involving the applicant’s land and his ownership of a chip shop that depends heavily on local tourism. He also cited another town council member’s interest in the proposal.
In his application, Vaux wrote, “As the representative for the people of Maenygroes, who this will cause the most impact to, I feel I should be able to represent their views at any planning committee or community council meetings where this may arise.”
The committee approved his request but limited his ability to speak on the issue to a period of 12 months, according to the Tivy-Side Advertiser.
For business owners in the outdoor hospitality industry, this proposed consolidation reflects a broader trend of park operators seeking to optimize their land holdings while minimizing perceived development impacts.
Relocating underused or unimplemented units, consolidating infrastructure, and freeing up green space can be part of a strategy to streamline operations and appeal to planning authorities and guests alike.
Operators considering similar moves may benefit from proactive public consultation and clear traffic impact analyses to support planning outcomes.