Four new holiday lodges approved at caravan park

The Lake District National Park Authority has granted planning permission for changes at Hill of Oaks and Blakeholme Caravan Park, near Newby Bridge.

Lake District Estates Co Ltd applied to demolish an existing toilet block, build a new bin store and replace touring caravan plots with four holiday lodges.

Permission was granted with conditions on October 12.

Hill of Oaks is an approximately 84-acre holiday park on the eastern shore of Windermere, between the lake and the A592.

It currently provides a mixture of static and touring caravans, lodges, self-catering apartments and pods.

(Image: Planning documents)

The latest application follows permission granted in August 2025 to replace 13 touring pitches with four holiday lodges elsewhere at the park.

Planning officers said the latest proposals were intended to respond to reduced demand for touring pitches and increased demand for lodges, as reported by the applicant.

They concluded the principle of the development was acceptable, noting alternative touring caravan sites were available nearby and that planning policy supports proposals which improve the quality and range of visitor accommodation.

Cartmel Fell Parish Council raised no objections, saying the changes were "modest" when considered in the context of the overall holiday park.

The council said: "This is an established business and the changes proposed make sense and are not out of proportion to the site or immediate location as presented."

(Image: Planning documents)

It also said the existing toilet block was "not an attractive building within the site" and its loss was unlikely to adversely affect the business.

Westmorland and Furness Council, acting as the local highway and lead local flood authority, also raised no objections, finding the development would not materially affect existing highway conditions or increase flood risk.

However, particular consideration was given to the site's sensitive woodland setting.

The entire application site is within Haws Wood, which is classified as Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland and is also protected by a Tree Preservation Order.

(Image: Planning documents)

The Forestry Commission stressed in its consultation response that ancient woodland is "irreplaceable" and directed the authority towards national guidance intended to protect it.

The proposed lodges would largely stand on existing hardstanding and compacted gravel, with one occupying the footprint of the toilet block being demolished.

Officers concluded that, given the existing holiday park use, the number and position of the lodges and proposed tree protection measures, the development would not result in the loss or deterioration of the ancient woodland.

A woodland management plan has also been submitted, including opportunities for additional planting within Hill of Oaks.

(Image: Planning documents)

The planning report said the new lodges would be similar in appearance to existing accommodation and would only be visible from within the holiday park rather than from public viewpoints.

Officers also found the scheme would not harm neighbouring amenity, with the closest home approximately 100 metres from the proposed lodges.

A bat survey submitted with the application identified a roost affected by the proposals and advised that a licence from Natural England would be required.

Despite the planning report stating that the proposal was considered contrary to Local Plan Policy 04 and the National Planning Policy Framework in relation to protected species, planning permission was granted.

Conditions require tree protection measures to be installed before work begins and retained throughout construction, while demolition of the toilet block must follow the approved construction method statement.

The four new lodges must only be used for short-term holiday accommodation and cannot become anyone's sole or main residence.

The development must begin within three years of the permission.