Hunstanton holiday park submits season extension bid for coronavirus recovery

A West Norfolk holiday complex has submitted proposals that would allow more tourists to use the site all year round.

Agents acting on behalf of the Searles Leisure Resort at Hunstanton say the move is necessary after the site lost months of trade in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The business is seeking planning permission from West Norfolk Council for the temporary use of land at the South Beach site for holiday caravans.

That would enable an extended season which would run until the end of 2022.

A report by its agents, Avison Young, highlighted a Government statement last summer which urged councils not to take enforcement action against caravan sites that were extending their operating seasons outside the normal terms of their licence until then.

It added: “We hope that the Council will be able to look favourably on the Applicant’s proposals to help them endure and financially recover from recent (and potential future) periods of forced closure and the wider impacts of the pandemic.”

Some parts of the site can be used all year round.

But the report said existing licence restrictions prevent caravans being occupied in two sections from mid-January to mid-February, while one area of the complex can only operate from March to October.

It also stated that Searles lost 133 trading days, or 19 weeks, last year as a result of Covid-19 restrictions and the application, if approved, would create an extra 183 operating days over the next two years.

The agents continued: “The proposal would provide a boost to the local rural economy and the tourism economy, generating further direct and indirect spending on local goods and services during the additional period of occupation, and therefore also supporting the creation and retention of local jobs.

“The proposed season extension is considered a sustainable development that would have economic and social benefits and will not adversely affect the natural environment.”

The report also acknowledged that the site is in an area of flood risk, but argued there would be no greater risk overall from the expanded operation.

Consultations on the application are ongoing and borough council planning officials have indicated they aim to reach a decision by mid-March.