Plans lodged to extend popular holiday park by Aviemore
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Proposals to extend a popular holiday park by Aviemore will help tackle dirty camping and the recovery from the ‘economic shock’ of the Covid-19 pandemic, the applicant has said.
Owner Dr Jamie Williamson has submitted plans to Highland Council's planning service in Kingussie for 36 more pitches, the erection of two amenity blocks and an additional 49 parking spaces at Dalraddy Caravan Park.
Dr Williamson’s agents, LAS planning, has told planners on the need for the extension: “This will help the existing business owners to recover financially from the long period of recent forced closure and to once more enable them to support supply chain operators and local businesses - many of whom, themselves, have endured the economic shock.”
The report continues: “It is anticipated that Badenoch and Strathspey will experience an increased demand for self-catering holidays as people are encouraged to enjoy stay-cations in place of foreign travel.
“This, in probability, will also give rise to an increased demand for caravan accommodation and a broadened range of demand for visitor industry services.
“Dalraddy Holiday Park is seeking to support the increased demand in a safe and well managed existing holiday park to avoid problems evidenced in summer 2020.”
The additional 36 pitches will almost exclusively be occupied by touring caravans, campervans, yurts, mobile huts, pods, or tents.
LAS planning state in their report: “Over the 53 years since the Dalraddy Holiday Park was opened, demand for temporary holiday accommodation in the form of tents, huts and caravans has changed.
“The average size of tents, caravans, huts, pods, cars and customers has increased.
“In an effort to meet the surge in demand last year for campervan and touring caravan pitches, the applicant requests planning permission that allows flexibility to utilise the pitches in response to changes in market and user demand.”
The two amenity buildings will increase the toilet, shower, dish washing and laundry facilities on site.
Twenty-four of the parking spaces are to be provided at the holiday park entrance and the remainder spread across the proposed development area.
The caravan park opened in 1968 and was originally designed for touring caravans and tents to cater for both summer tourists and skiers in winter.
The Williamson family have owned Alvie Estate since 1927 and acquired Dalraddy Estate two years later.
Some electric vehicle charging points will also be provided as part of the latest proposed redevelopment.
