UP to 30 extra holiday lodges could be coming to a site near Bude in plans submitted to Cornwall Council.

Penstowe Manor Holiday Park, in Kilkhampton is seeking the council’s views on a proposal to demolish a redundant building and replace it with approximately 25 to 30 lodges.

It is a pre-application planning application, meaning that it is not yet a full planning application but rather seeking the council’s views of the likelihood of the proposal achieving ‘officer support’ and if not, what it might have to do to achieve it, such as reduced number of lodges or other measures.

The proposals seek the council’s views on demolishing a ‘redundant’ building on the site to free up the land to expand the holiday park with the installation of the 25 to 30 lodges to increase the capacity for tourism.

In the application, the planning agent for the applicant stated: “Over the past few years this (the building) has become redundant and fallen into disrepair as shown in the photos submitted. Penstowe Manor is under a different ownership and is being converted into flats while much of the surrounding land has been approved for residential development and a large portion remains as a successful holiday park with a mix of lodges and apartments.

“Our client would like to demolish the redundant leisure building and develop a parcel of brownfield land at the rear of Penstowe Manor as shown on the location plan for 25 to 30 new holiday lodges or apartments. The proposed development will not only revitalise an unsightly parcel of ground but will also assist the biodiversity.

“There is a good existing access to the site, as shown on the submitted drawings. Kilkhampton is a thriving Cornish village, popular with holiday makers all year-round. It benefits from a church, post office, two convenience stores, butchers, takeaways and a pub.

“All of these facilities are an easy walk from Penstowe. Kilkhampton also has a good bus service to link it to Bude and further afield. This location is considered accessible by walking, cycling, bus and via a linked trip using the train from railway stations at Barnstaple, Okehampton and Bodmin. The site is within the settlement boundary for Kilkhampton and within the Cornwall Council Local Plan.

“The existing holiday accommodation that surrounds the site forms part of the Penstowe Manor Holiday Park and has been attracting holiday makers to this location for over 40 years.

“That business is already well established so an additional 25 to 30 new lodges or apartments will allow the applicant to attract holidaymakers from this already strong network of guests whilst also attracting new holiday makers which in turn will support the local businesses.

“The accommodation will be aimed at both the family and couples' markets so that it takes advantage of not only the peak holiday season but also the shoulder and off-peak times of year which is stronger with couples and pre-school bookings.”

The application, currently being considered by Cornwall Council, can be followed using reference PA25/00436/PREAPP.