Caravans could be built in low-risk flood area

A holiday park has applied to build permanent caravans in an area with a lower risk of flooding after its residents were evacuated over rising water levels in 2024.

The owners of Billing Aquadrome Holiday Park, near Northampton, have applied to West Northamptonshire Council to make changes to the site and reduce the number of static caravans from 3,104 to 2,239.

The owners plan to install new static caravans that could be used 12 months of the year, as currently some have a 25-day closure period each January.

The Strategic Planning Committee at the authority was expected to approve the changes on 17 February.

In February 2024 the site was evacuated due to flooding.

If approved, the proposals would take place over a number of phases; the first included demolishing some existing buildings on site - such as a toilet block and caravan sales and holiday reception units - and station 110 static caravans that could be used as a person's main residence, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Outline permission has also been sought to allow a further 886 static caravans to be used as permanent residences, in addition to 1,223 static holiday caravans, 20 floating lodges and an area for the stationing of touring caravans and tents.

Other planned works at the site included constructing a new lake and the refurbishment of the existing family entertainment building with restaurants, an outdoor canopied seating area and an extension to the swimming pool.

The Environment Agency, which is responsible for flood management, said it was supportive of the proposals "to make the site safer in times of flood and to reduce in the number of static caravans".

The park said the planned reduction of the number of caravans on the 120-hectare site shows its commitment to creating a "lower density, higher quality environment".

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