A HOLIDAY park near Watchet could have more than 50 new caravan lodges available for visitors if a planning application is approved by Somerset West and Taunton Council (SWT).

The application, by St Audries Bay Holiday Club owner James Randle, seeks to spread 58 new holiday homes across the seafront site to either infill open spaces or replace existing chalets and other buildings.

Operating since 1933, St Audries Bay Holiday Park currently accommodates 150 static caravans and 40 chalets along with 121 touring caravan pitches.

If the planning application is successful, new caravan lodges will be sited on a putting green and tennis court, and on land currently used for touring caravan pitches, as well as other areas of the park.

In a statement to planners, the applicant said: “It is considered with the removal of 34 units whether these be chalets or existing caravan bases, the proposal only creates an additional 24 units.

“Therefore the proposed development creates a very minimal increase in intensity of use of the local highways or local facilities and that of the park facilities, and creates a more year-round tourism that attracts more affluent tourists.

“It is important to emphasise that currently the demand at St Audries Bay Holiday Club is such that there is a need for redevelopment of the park. Utilising the existing facilities, the new accommodation will enhance the park itself and bring in new customers and prestige to the area.”

“The new development will match the opening times of the remaining park and with longer use of the site and increased length of holiday accommodation available, this will mean an enhancement to the tourism in the area.”

SWT’s planning committee will consider the application at a future meeting.