Hammer and Pincers Caravan Site’s Expansion Plans Denied

Harrop Leisure Ltd’s proposal to introduce static caravans at the Hammer and Pincers Caravan and Camp Site near Newton Aycliffe has been denied by Durham County Council. 

The application sought to replace some of the site’s touring caravan pitches with static caravans for year-round holiday use, but council officers raised concerns about compliance with existing planning conditions.

The site currently holds permission for 20 touring caravans and 10 tents under a 2017 planning approval. 

According to a report by The Northern Echo, the company argued that replacing touring caravans with static ones would not violate these conditions. 

However, council officers determined that the proposed static caravans would exceed the designated pitch sizes of 6m by 8m, conflicting with existing regulations.

Another point of contention involved the interpretation of “not in use” within the site’s planning conditions, which prohibits residential occupation and storage when caravans are unoccupied. 

While this ambiguity was acknowledged, it was not the primary reason for refusal. Instead, the council concluded that the application did not provide sufficient evidence to confirm that introducing static caravans would align with the original permission.

Durham County Council officially refused the application on March 24, 2025, citing inadequate documentation to demonstrate that the change would be lawful. 

“The proposal does not provide sufficient information to prove compliance with the conditions of the 2017 permission,” the council’s decision stated.

For business owners in the outdoor hospitality sector, the decision underscores the importance of ensuring that planning applications clearly align with existing permissions. 

The case highlights the necessity of addressing site-specific constraints and regulatory definitions before pursuing changes to caravan usage. 

As regulations continue to evolve, operators looking to modify their offerings must carefully navigate planning conditions to avoid setbacks.

Applicants in similar situations may appeal planning decisions within six months, emphasizing the need for a thorough approach when seeking approval for operational adjustments.