A Somerset coastal holiday park is set to welcome more guests following the approval of its expansion plans.
Haven Leisure Ltd, which runs Doniford Bay Holiday Park n the village of Doniford, between Watchet and the northern edge of the Quantock Hills, submitted a proposal in February to add 21 more static caravans to the site, specifically around the Otter Lakes area in the park's western section.
Somerset Council has now approved the project, paving the way for work to kick off before summer's end.
The Otter Lakes area branches off from the main holiday park amenities, sitting on the western boundary of the site near where The Swill waterway flows into the Bristol Channel.
The approved blueprint will see 21 new static caravan spots spring up on the lake's western flank – a move Haven Leisure Ltd describes as "a very modest extension", as the park already boasts 538 static caravans.
Speaking on behalf of the applicant, a spokesperson from Laister Planning Ltd said: "The development will make efficient use of underutilised land that has historically been connected to the park, and will complement the layout and character of other holiday units situated adjacent to Otters Lake.
"It will meet the increasing demand for and expectations of visitors for good quality and spacious accommodation in well-kept grounds, sympathetic to the natural environment.
"It will help also support the existing successful tourism business, enabling it to be more financially sustainable, to the benefit of the business, visitors and the local economy.
"The proposed scheme safeguards and retains any significant landscape features within and the application site. The proposal will also deliver biodiversity net gain.
"The accommodation units will have the form, appearance and character of timber style holiday lodges."
The council gave the green light to these plans through the delegated powers of its planning officers, bypassing a public decision by its planning committee west which handles major applications within the former Somerset West and Taunton area.
Construction on the new section of the holiday park is slated to start in the coming months.
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