Northern Ireland Planning Service

Northern Area Plan 2016
Strategic Plan Framework: Tourism Redevelopment of Existing Caravan Parks Outside Settlement Development Limits

Policy TOU 5 Existing Caravan Parks Outside Settlement Development Limits
Redevelopment of caravan parks outside of settlement development limits will not be permitted where this would lead to a loss of tourist accommodation.
Where redevelopment of existing caravan parks to other forms of tourist accommodation is proposed, applications will be assessed against the following criteria:
  1. the scheme meets an identified need for tourist accommodation in the local area;
  2. where the site is visually prominent in the landscape, it can be assimilated satisfactorily by substantial structural landscaping; and
  3. the scale and design of buildings reflects the vernacular building styles.
Where refurbishment of existing sites is proposed, the Department will expect criteria 2 and 3 to be met.
Where it is proposed to redevelop caravan parks with other tourist accommodation, this will be for short-term rental only and for no other type of occupation, and applicants will be required to enter into a legal agreement to this effect.
Proposals for development that would be available for either permanent occupation or as ‘ second homes’ will not be permitted.
Caravan parks provide an another form of tourist accommodation, which is often less expensive, for visitors to the North Coast. They have an important role to play in the local economy, and the Department considers their retention is desirable. There may be instances, however, where existing sites are no longer viable, or could provide suitable alternative tourist accommodation for the short stay rental market. Many sites have been established in visually prominent sites and can be seen from many vantage points. Sites have very little, if any, structural landscaping that allows them to become assimilated into the landscape, and the Department considers visual integration into the landscape to be an important consideration in any proposal.
The Department will require any approved schemes to be included in a register of available accommodation for holiday renting, and applicants will be required to enter into a legally binding agreement whereby they undertake to make the accommodation permanently available for short-term letting.
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