Campsite layout changes at Ocean Pitch Campsite, Moor Lane, Croyde, Braunton

What was proposed

The application sought to change the approved campsite layout, including new grass-paving hard standings and seasonal siting of three movable facilities.

“Change in Site Layout Through the consideration of this application, it has been noted that there have been incremental changes to the layout and appearance of the site.”

“The removal of the three, gravel vehicular hard standings (pitches 34, 35 and 36); • The removal of the hard standing between pitches 33 and 34 to the north of the access track; • The retention of the existing area of hardstanding beneath the toilet and shower buildings; • The creation of five grass cellular paving vehicular hard standings (pitches 30 to 34); • The seasonal siting of reception building on grass cellular paving; and • The seasonal siting of the Biffins…”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Earlier permissions approved seasonal camping, an October extension, campervan pitches, while a permanent reception building was refused and its appeal dismissed.

“Reference Number Proposal Decision Decision Date 64112 CHANGE OF USE OF LAND TO ALLOW CAMPING FROM EASTER TO END OF SEPTEMBER at OCEAN PITCH CAMPSITE, MOOR LANE, CROYDE, DEVON, EX33 1NZ FULL PLANNING APPROVAL 22 February 2018 71851 Variation of condition 3 (time restrictions) attached to planning permission 64112 to allow extension to current licence until the end of October at Ocean Pitch Campsite Moor Lane Croyde Braunton Devon EX33 1NZ Approved 2 September 2020 72596…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the proposal reduces hardstanding, maintains landscaping and would not cause significant harm to the protected landscape, ecology, amenity or highways.

“The Landscaping scheme as approved under condition 4 of 64112 appears to have been implemented and is now well-established. This landscaping continues to safeguard and enhance the character and appearance of this part of the protected landscape and to enhance biodiversity.”

“It is unlikely that the development would result in harm to protected species. The proposal will reduce the existing hardstanding on the site and would therefore be a betterment to that existing. The siting of the catering building and the surf-hire building through the seasonal restriction as imposed on the previous approval will unlikely impact upon protected species.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The parish council supported approval, the National Landscape had no concerns, and ward councillors and other consultees made no comments.

“Reply Received: 26/06/2026 Georgeham Parish Council recommend approval of this application with the following comments.”

“Reply Received: 27/04/2026 Thank you for consulting with the North Devon Coast National Landscape on this application. We have reviewed the amended scheme and have no concerns or further comments.”

Officer report

Public views

Eight letters supported the local business and its landscape setting, while two raised concerns about landscape harm, pedestrian signage and external lighting.

“Eight letters of support and two letters of comment have been received. The letters of support can be summarised as follows:”

“Unsure as to whether the size and siting will result in harm to the landscape • Need for better signage for pedestrians • Control over external lighting…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant addressed the committee, which also heard advice from the Service Manager on the proposed lighting condition and existing lights.

Committee discussion

Members asked about existing toilet and shower lighting and were advised that the added condition concerned additional lighting, not existing lights.

“The Service Manager (Development Management) recommended that the following condition be added to the decision, if it were approved:”

“The proposed, additional condition, was in regards to any additional lighting, and did not affect the existing lighting. • This was not a permanent, year-round site. A previous appeal for a permanent building on the site was refused. This was in order to protect the landscape. The compromise was a seasonal site only and for the building to be movable.”

Minutes

The vote

The committee unanimously approved the application as recommended, subject to an additional external-lighting condition.

“RESOLVED (unanimous) that the application be APPROVED as recommended by the Service Manager (Development Management) subject to the inclusion of the following condition:”

“(a) No additional external lighting shall be installed or erected on the site at any time, unless agreed in writing from the Local Planning Authority, in the interests of minimising landscape and visual impacts on the National Landscape and local landscape character in accordance with Policies ST09, ST04, ST14, DM04, and DM08A of the North Devon and Torridge Local Plan.”

Minutes

Conditions on approval

The approval controls the plans, seasonal use, removal of unauthorised hardstanding, landscaping, staff parking and additional external lighting.

“All planting, seeding or turfing comprised in the approved details of landscaping as shown on drawing number 001 Rev A shall be carried out in the first planting and seeding seasons following the approval of this development; and any trees or plants which within a period of 5 years from the completion of the development die, are removed or become seriously damaged or diseased, shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of similar size and species unless the…”

“Prior to first implementation of the permission the staff parking provision as shown on the Layout Plan received 26th January 2018 shall be provided in full and shall be retained during the approved camping season as defined in condition 2 above for the stated purpose only…”

Officer report