Camper van park proposal in Beauly could tap North Coast 500 traffic
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PROPOSALS have been lodged to develop a camper van park in Beauly on the route of the North Coast 500.
It would be sited on land to the north of Beauly fire station close to Tomich and would provide short stay and overnight space for 21 camper vans.
The application has been submitted to Highland Council by Ewen Simpson who says the demand for such facilities is increasing and recognised throughout the Highland area but particularly on the route of the NC500.
A pre-application request seeking advice on the development of a camper van park including the development of holiday lodges was submitted in 2021.
But the existing proposal involves only camper van stay facilities and has removed the option of holiday lodges after concerns were raised over possible future changes of the lodges to permanent housing which would be against council policy.
The plans also include a small single-story reception building located close to the entrance to the site off the A862.
A shelter providing facilities for a barbecue, an additional seating area, a children’s play area, two ponds and landscaping are also proposed.
Transport planning officers have lodged an objection until various issues are explained or resolved.
They include traffic calming measures, access to the site, footpaths and footways, disabled spaces, drainage and an extended footpath.
A design statement submitted in support of the application states: "The facilities proposed will be ideal for both short-term overnight stopovers and as a base from which to explore the area.
"There are no similar facilities within the immediate Beauly area and the demand for facilities for camper vans is increasing year on year. "The demand for staycation, too, has increased and is likely to do so in the coming years."
The statement also goes on to say the council's pre-application response last year was generally supportive of the principle of the development but it acknowledges the concerns about the lodges which have been taken into account.
"The removal of the previously proposed holiday lodges addresses the concerns expressed about the potential for residential use in the long term while the proposed layout will provide both an attractive and welcoming facility for tourists," it states.
"The proposed layout also secures appropriately landscaped boundaries providing adequate screening to existing and proposed housing to the south.
"The availability of the recently upgraded vehicular access arrangements and the available footpath network that provides access to the village, ensure that guests of the camper van park can safely access the facilities on offer on Beauly without the need for car-borne journeys.
"In all respects, the proposal is considered to meet the objectives of council policy and will secure much-needed tourist facilities to the benefit of the local economy in particular."
