Two UK caravan site decisions: Dorset plan rejected, Southampton application submitted

Daniel Bald was jailed for 20 months after leading police on a 20-minute pursuit in a stolen campervan with its pop-up roof bed fully extended. The incident began on 28 July when an officer stopped to assist what appeared to be a broken-down vehicle on the A614 near Clumber Park, shortly after 11pm. Bald drove off at speed, joined the A1, and made repeated evasive manoeuvres, causing an HGV driver to take action. A stinger device ended the chase. Bald pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failing to stop, driving while disqualified and without insurance. He was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on 17 September.

Heathside Holidays in Wenhaston, Suffolk, has been sold for £2,995,000 to Patrick O'Donoghue of O'Donoghue Caravan Parks Limited. The sale was managed by Colliers on behalf of owners Jim and Karen Wright, who developed the site from an agricultural holding. The park covers approximately 19.5 acres and features 20 Scandinavian-style lodges, nine glamping pods, six shepherd huts and 16 touring pitches. Heathside Holidays won the 2023 Hoseasons Diamond Award for Best Small Lodge Escape in the East of England and a TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Award.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council has granted planning permission for 28 static caravans for year-round holiday use in Hemsby. The extension to Seafield Caravan Park, submitted by Hemsby Estates Limited, includes access, parking, and landscaping works; caravans will be restricted to holiday use only, with one parking space and EV charging points per plot.

A caravan was stolen from New Ground car park on Portland at around 3:20am Sunday. A white Ford Transit panel van towed it towards Weymouth.

British company Wellhouse Leisure has completed its first Kia iCamper electric camper based on the PV5. The first batch of 30 units is sold out, priced at £59,995 (US$80,225).

Haven Leisure Limited has applied to East Devon District Council to extend the permitted season at Devon Cliffs Holiday Centre in Sandy Bay, Exmouth, by 28 days, allowing occupation from February 1 to January 14 inclusive. Exmouth Town Council's planning committee voted to object on September 14, citing traffic congestion, noise, pressure on services and the risk of permanent residential occupation. The district council's economic development officer supported the application, saying it would extend the tourist season and support jobs; the application is awaiting a decision by East Devon District Council.