Caravan Park Development

Town Planning Services for a Retrospective Planning Application for the Storage and Siting of Caravans

Client: Caravan & Leisure Park

Service Provided: Town Planning

Project Summary

Following a long-established relationship, Technia Environment and Planning Limited were appointed to provide town planning services for a caravan and leisure park, as part of a larger scheme of works to the site.

The project involved preparing and submitting a part-retrospective planning application to regularise the sting and storage of caravans on site. The application also proposed improvements to visual screening and biodiversity enhancements.

Our Approach

We developed a coordinated planning strategy to address existing site conditions, align with current planning regulations, and meet environmental requirements. Our approach included:

• Conducting a comprehensive site appraisal.
• Liaising directly with the Local Planning Authority’s Landscape Officer.
• Producing section drawings to demonstrate site levels and landscaping impacts.
• Preparing a landscape and biodiversity enhancement plan.
• Submitting a Green Infrastructure Statement (GIS) to comply with updated regulatory requirements.

Key Challenges & Solutions

1. Complex Site History and Coordination with Parallel Applications

   Challenge: The site had a complex planning background, including a large catalogue of historical consents and ongoing discussions concerning the wider area. Creating uncertainty concerning the planning baseline of the site. In addition, a separate Lawful Development Certificate was submitted for the whole site, requiring coordination between all stakeholders and the two applications.

   Solution: We undertook a comprehensive planning review to establish a clear baseline for the site and identify what was required for the planning application; identifying all relevant historic consents and their current status. In parallel, we coordinated closely with the Local Planning Authority and the team responsible for the Lawful Development Certificate to ensure both applications were aligned.

2. Limited Visual Screening of the Site

   Challenge: The site offered minimal and inconsistent landscaping, resulting in sparse and scattered visual screening and limited ecological value.

   Solution: We worked closely with the Local Planning Authority’s Landscape Officer to design a landscaping scheme using appropriate native species that would enhance screening around the caravan park boundaries. This approach both softened the visual impact of the development and created new habitats to support biodiversity.

3. New Regulatory Requirements

   Challenge: The requirement to provide a GIS was introduced late in the process as a regulatory requirement for all planning applications in Wales, resulting in needing a quick submission to ensure the application was valid.

   Solution: We quickly produced a GIS that assessed existing site conditions and demonstrated alignment with the landscaping proposals, ensuring full compliance with the regulatory requirements without delaying the application.

Outcome

Supported by detailed technical documentation and proactive stakeholder engagement, the planning application was approved in September 2025.

Our work enabled the client to regularise site activities, meet current planning requirements, and deliver measurable environmental benefits as part of their wider site development plans.

Need Planning Support for a Leisure or Caravan Site?

We help leisure operators navigate complex planning requirements, coordinate with authorities and secure permissions, no matter the site history or challenges.

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