Caravan and camping news: decisions on UK projects

Aberdeenshire Council has deferred a decision on the expansion of Hillhead Caravan Park near Kintore, scheduling a site visit to assess road access concerns. The application by Sutherland Park proposes adding 12 touring pitches and 13 holiday lodges, plus a new amenities building. Neighbour Callum Fraser, whose property is surrounded by the park, argued the changes fail to address privacy and road safety issues. A previous proposal for 18 lodges was rejected in October 2024, and an appeal to the Scottish Government was unsuccessful.

Caravan owners at Suffolk Sands Holiday Park in Felixstowe report water rate increases exceeding 50% over the past year. Resident Carrie Calver now pays £805 instead of £520, more than her previous three-bedroom house. A Park Holidays spokesperson attributed the rise to water company costs and the prohibitive expense of individual meters.

A family's Volkswagen T4 campervan burst into flames while traveling through the New Forest near Long Lane, Hardley, on Sunday afternoon. Firefighters from Hardley and Beaulieu extinguished the blaze within 30 minutes, but the vehicle was completely destroyed. Owner Kelly Hall described the incident as 'devastating' and thanked members of the public who stopped to help. The cause of the fire is unknown.

An environmental impact screening request has been filed for Wood Farm Holiday Park in Charmouth, proposing to convert 31 touring caravan pitches and camping pods into 27 static and lodge-style caravan pitches with environmental upgrades. Additional applications in Bridport and nearby villages include rooflight replacements, garage conversions, and home extensions. All plans are available for public comment on Dorset Council's planning register.

Grantham Caravans reported turnover of £22.5m for the year to 30 June 2025, up from £18.8m, driven by growing demand for motorhomes. Pre-tax profit fell sharply from £296,000 to £67,000 as higher interest rates increased financing costs.

Plans to add 21 static caravans at Silver Sands Holiday Park in Lossiemouth, Moray, have been approved by planning officers, overriding 18 objections from residents and caravan owners. Critics cited strain on amenities like the swimming pool and clubhouse, as well as environmental concerns about coastal dunes. Officials ruled most objections as non-material to planning, noting the development is on grassland, not dunes, and that internal road management is a private matter for the operator.