Highland Holidays’ proposal to expand Oban Caravan and Camping Park is set for review, with Argyll and Bute Council planning officers recommending its approval.
The application includes the addition of 50 permanent units, as well as changes to site layout and infrastructure.
The proposal has drawn both support and opposition, with 29 objections and 14 expressions of support submitted. Concerns primarily center on road access and potential landscape impacts.
However, a council planning officer stated in a handling report that the applicant has worked closely with the council’s roads authority to ensure an appropriate access plan.
“It is considered that the proposed development would be of an appropriate scale to the natural and built surroundings and would integrate appropriately with the landscape setting,” the report noted.
The officer also emphasized that the site is already an established caravan and camping facility with existing planning permission for various accommodations, including static caravans, tents, motorhomes, and chalets.
According to Helensburgh Advertiser, the proposed expansion includes changing the use of two small land parcels, relocating accommodation units, and installing infrastructure such as water tanks and a sewage treatment plant.
These updates reflect an effort to enhance operational efficiency and meet evolving demand in the outdoor hospitality sector.
While the council’s recommendation suggests confidence in the project’s compliance with planning guidelines, business owners in the industry may view this as part of a broader trend of parks seeking to optimize land use for year-round tourism.
With the growing demand for static accommodations and improved amenities, expansions like this can offer insights into how parks navigate regulatory processes while balancing environmental considerations and community concerns.
“It is the opinion of the planning authority that the representations received, together with officer assessment of the relevant planning issues, provide all the information required to enable members to make an informed decision,” the planning officer stated.
A final decision on the application will be made during the council’s planning meeting on March 19.
