Major £30m expansion plan could add 154 caravans to North Coast holiday park

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has received plans for a new 154-caravan extension at Skerries Holiday Park in Portrush.

The council’s planning department has recently received an application for 154 new static caravan pitches, along with associated amenity space, parking, and landscaping, on lands at and to the south-west of the existing park at 126 Dunluce Road.

According to an accompanying Design and Access Statement, the site includes the access and front portion of the existing caravan park onto Dunluce Road and extends into two parcels of agricultural land to the south-west of the existing site, partially enclosed on two sides by existing caravans.

Site plan for 154-caravan extension at Skerries Holiday Park in Portrush

The statement says the development would deliver a range of social, environmental and economic benefits, boosting the local tourism industry and representing a “significant investment” of £30 million in the Portrush area.

It adds that the scheme would provide a variety of new pitches at one of the area’s most popular and sought-after holiday parks.

The proposal is also expected to support around 50 construction jobs during the build period.

“The proposed site is located within the countryside, outside the settlement development limit on the eastern side of Portrush,” the statement said.

“Skerries provides a range of accommodation choices on site, including static and touring caravan pitches as well as camping pitches, making it a highly desirable and popular destination throughout the year.

“The proposed extension is well located to make use of the surrounding public transport network. Existing footpaths link the site to Portrush town centre and surrounding shops and services.

“There is open countryside to the south, with the Royal Portrush Golf Club and its clubhouse located further to the north and north-west.

“The proposal will deliver an attractive and discreet holiday park extension in a more informal clustered layout, with a high level of landscaping, in an area expected to have minimal visual impact.”