AN extension to a holiday park off the Moreton Road at Owermoigne could double the size of the site.

The planning request, if approved, would use a 3.3 hectare field to the south of the existing Sandyholme holiday park.

If Dorset Council agreed the change the owners say the expansion of the site could create at least four new jobs and bring increased visitor spending to the whole area.

The application asks to station lodge caravans, create touring ‘super pitches’ and change the use of a farm building on the site for caravan storage. It also allows for the use of portable showers and toilets on the site.

If approved the change will bring in up to 79 additional caravans and touring pitches and provide 66 new parking spaces - more than doubling the area to be used for holidays.

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Permissions for the Sandyholme site date back to 1966 and across the years have been amended to today allow 105 static or touring caravans year-round for holiday purposes.

Agents for the application, Avison Young, say the expansion will further support the Dorset rural economy, especially Owermoigne, Crossways and Dorchester, and help in the long-term management of the countryside with landscaping proposals which will help the extension fit into the area without being too obtrusive.

“By careful tree planting within the application site, and by reinforcing the existing hedge boundaries with additional tree and hedge planting, the proposal would not introduce any development type that is not already part of the local landscape character. In this regard the extension of the existing park is seen to complement and respect the existing context,” said a statement to Dorset Council to justify the application.

The site would continue to use the existing access off Moreton Road that currently serves the main park and would use an existing farm access for the building proposed to be used for caravan storage.

Full details of the application can be seen on the Dorset Council website by searching the planning section for ref 2022/00748. Comments on the proposal can be submitted until March 11th.