Static caravan site at Dockray Meadow Caravan Park, Lamplugh

“Report from the Head of Development Management to Development Control Committee ________________________________________________________________ Application number: 7/2025/4077 Application type: Major full application Applicant: [name withheld], Eurotrading NE Ltd Location: Dockray Meadow Caravan Park, Lamplugh, Cumbria, CA14 4SH Grid reference: 308490, 520317 Proposal: Change of use of land to static caravan site and removal of redundant former reception building and…”

“The site has been sold, and this application now seeks planning permission for the change of use of the land from a 53 pitch touring caravan site to a 44 pitch static caravan site, along with the removal of redundant buildings and associated site works.”

“Dockray Meadow Caravan Park is an existing 53 pitch touring caravan site located to the south of Lamplugh on the north-western boundary of the National Park. The site is accessed via an unclassified road which carries the Coast to Coast Cycle Network, and lies opposite Inglenook Caravan Park which sits on the Cumberland side of the highway. Public footpath 412004 lies to the south of the site, separated by mature vegetation and Rakegill Beck.”

“A Lawful Development Certificate – Existing Use (7/2024/4086) was granted in January 2025 confirming that the lawful use of the site is a 53 pitch touring caravan site. The evidence submitted in support of this application demonstrated that the site has been used for the siting of…”

“The site was owned and run by the Caravan and Motorhome Club until 2025. The club closed the site at the end of the 2024 season due to lack of members and poor performance of the park.”

“The lawful use of the site, as established by a recent lawful development certificate, is as a 53 pitch touring caravan site. The use of the land for the siting of caravans is well established with the relevant infrastructure to support this use still in place on the land including internal roads, hardstanding, mains electric and water, and associated built development.”

“The proposals seek to re-use an existing and well-established caravan site. Extensive new native tree planting is proposed throughout the site, but particularly along the western and southern boundaries which lie adjacent to the public highway and public right of way, improving screening of the existing site. The density of the site will also be reduced by decreasing the number of pitches from 53 to 44.”

“Natural England have provided four consultation responses on this application which can be summarised as follows: • Agree there will be no increased release of Phosphorus to the environment provided it can be evidenced that towing caravans occupied the existing site at the same level of occupancy as the proposed static site.”

“This will determine if the greater treatment provided by the new PTP to treat both grey and black water, does actually mean there will be a reduction in P load from the current less efficient septic tank. • It is up to the Local Planning Authority, as the Competent Authority under the Habitats Regulations, to determine whether the proposal is sufficiently precautionary.”

“Motion to refuse the application Proposed by [name withheld] by [name withheld] in favour of motion: Abstentions: 1”