Four Holiday Lodges Approved at Hill of Oaks, Windermere

Four new holiday lodges have been approved at Hill of Oaks and Blakeholme Caravan Park, near Newby Bridge on the eastern shore of Windermere. According to The Mail (North West Evening Mail), the Lake District National Park Authority granted planning permission with conditions on 12 October.

What has been approved

The application was made by Lake District Estates Co Ltd. The Mail reports that it covers:

• Four holiday lodges replacing touring caravan plots.
• Demolition of an existing toilet block, with one of the lodges occupying its footprint.
• A new bin store.

Hill of Oaks is described as an approximately 84-acre holiday park between the lake and the A592. It currently provides a mixture of static and touring caravans, lodges, self-catering apartments and pods. The latest decision follows permission granted in August 2025 to replace 13 touring pitches with four holiday lodges elsewhere at the park.

Why the change was proposed

Planning officers said the proposals were intended to respond to reduced demand for touring pitches and increased demand for lodges, as reported by the applicant. They concluded the principle of the development was acceptable, noting that alternative touring caravan sites were available nearby and that planning policy supports proposals which improve the quality and range of visitor accommodation.

Cartmel Fell Parish Council raised no objections, describing the changes as "modest" in the context of the overall holiday park. The council said: "This is an established business and the changes proposed make sense and are not out of proportion to the site or immediate location as presented." Westmorland and Furness Council, as local highway and lead local flood authority, also raised no objections.

An ancient woodland setting

The whole application site is within Haws Wood, which The Mail reports is classified as Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland and is protected by a Tree Preservation Order. The Forestry Commission stressed in its consultation response that ancient woodland is "irreplaceable".

The lodges would largely stand on existing hardstanding and compacted gravel. Officers concluded that, given the existing holiday park use, the number and position of the lodges and the proposed tree protection measures, the development would not result in the loss or deterioration of the ancient woodland. A woodland management plan has also been submitted, including opportunities for additional planting.

A bat survey identified a roost affected by the proposals and advised that a licence from Natural England would be required. The planning report stated that the proposal was considered contrary to Local Plan Policy 04 and the National Planning Policy Framework in relation to protected species, but planning permission was granted.

The conditions

• Tree protection measures must be installed before work begins and kept in place throughout construction.
• Demolition of the toilet block must follow the approved construction method statement.
• The lodges must only be used for short-term holiday accommodation and cannot become anyone's sole or main residence.
• Development must begin within three years of the permission.

The planning report said the new lodges would be similar in appearance to existing accommodation and would only be visible from within the holiday park.

Lodges in the Lakes

This is not the only Lake District park we have covered. You can read about the Herdwick Croft expansion plans near Bassenthwaite, and further south in Lancashire, the nine lodges approved at Ribble Valley View.

Thinking about selling?

If you own a static caravan or lodge in the Lakes and are weighing up your options, Static Caravan Buyer offers a free, no-obligation valuation, and we can help with the park paperwork if you decide to go ahead. We charge no commission when we buy your caravan. We aim to contact you within 24 hours and make an offer within 48 hours of that contact. Payment is made on collection day before the caravan is loaded.

You can find out more about selling a static caravan in the Lake District, or call us free for a friendly chat on 0800 644 5000. There is no pressure either way.

Source: The Mail (nwemail.co.uk), 21 October 2026.