A CARAVAN park’s bid to build more pitches after a surge in demand for ‘staycations’ has seen its plan backed by the council.

Peachley Caravan and Camping Park has had its plan to add 32 new pitches as part of an expansion to its site on the edge of Lower Broadheath near Worcester approved by planners at Malvern Hills District Council.

The council said it was happy to approve because it felt that it would not disrupt the landscape.

“Whilst historically the land has been agricultural, the existing caravan site is now well established, and the nearest public right of way is some distance away,” a report by planning officers said.

“The site itself is not highly visible, if at all, from public vantage points and any glimpses of it from these long views would view the site within the wider setting of the existing caravan park, caravan storage site and employment park … It is not considered the addition would appear incongruous or overly prominent.”

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Council planners agreed to a move to add an extra 34 pitches in a field to the east of the caravan park in 2021.

A plan to build a one-and-a-half-storey house and a two-storey house on the farm site have however been rejected by council planners after a plan to build a new work unit was approved almost two years ago.

A statement included with the application said: “Demand for new caravans exceeds supply and prices are rising.

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“The pandemic caused a surge in ‘staycations’ which, combined with difficulties within the aviation industry and the speed and flexibility that caravans offer, has maintained the increase in popularity and growth of caravanning as a significant part of the leisure and tourism industry.

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“Already at capacity, this application seeks consent for a further 32 pitches on an area of just under one hectare, presently in agricultural use, which lies immediately adjacent to the existing site and between this and the on-site leisure fishing lakes adjoining to the east.

“Infrastructure is already in place to serve the site. This includes ablution and waste facilities, mains drainage, a reception building, a parking area, secure caravan storage compounds, a café and electricity.”