New lodges and clubhouse planned for Shropshire holiday park
Thirty five new lodges and a new clubhouse are to be built on a holiday park as part of expansion plans put forward by the owners.
Shropshire Council has approved the proposal to create the lodges and clubhouse on Beaconsfield Farm Holiday Park in Hadnall, which is set to create six new jobs.
The owners said the scheme will attract more visitors to the area and support the local economy.
They estimate the additional 35 lodges will generate "substantial local spend".
Meanwhile, the 17-year-old clubhouse is now too small for the park and a larger more modern one featuring a restaurant/bar is needed to keep pace with its growth and visitor expectations, the owner said.
The existing park, which was granted planning permission in 1994, has 217 pitches.
Both Astley Parish Council and Hadnall Parish Council raised no objections to the scheme during the consultation stage.
A statement submitted on behalf of the owners said: "Beaconsfield Farm Holiday Park is a well-established leisure facility owned and run by a local family.
"The proposal would increase the number of visitors to the locality and these visitors would support the local shop, public house, restaurant and other local facilities, further supporting the local economy.
"The additional 35 lodges will allow for the continued gentle growth of the park allowing the phased release of lodges over the next few years.
"A larger more modern clubhouse is needed to allow more generous space for park visitors to enjoy a meal and pre-meal drink.
"Currently the park employs 11 local people but if the new clubhouse and 35 lodges are approved there will be a further six local jobs.
"There will be some additional traffic associated with the new 35 lodges. However, these lodges represent only a modest increase in the overall number of caravans/lodges on the park."
A report by Shropshire Council case officer Jane Raymond said the principle of extending the existing caravan park is acceptable and complies with both local and national planning policy.
"It will provide an enhanced and expanded tourist related facility which will contribute to supporting local services and businesses and provide local employment opportunities," the report said.
"The proposed siting and existing landscaping will minimise the visual impact and the proposal would have no adverse impact on highway safety or the ecology of the site."
