A NATIONAL operator is scouting out land to create a small campsite at Roanhead. 

The Caravan and Motorhome Club has left a notice at Roanhead Rabbit Warren, which is near Roanhead Farm. The controversial Roanhead Farm development, which would involve building 450 holiday lodges, is currently going through the planning application process. 

The notice left by the Caravan and Motorhome Club indicates a site that would be much smaller scale with just five pitches for the 'exclusive use of members.' 

The notice states: "The owner of this land is proposing to operate a small, low impact five pitch site for the exclusive use of Caravan and Motorhome Club members. These sites are called Certified Locations (CLs), and are limited to: 

  • A maximum of 28 days at any one time
  • Caravan and Motorhome Club members on holiday/for leisure purposes

"The Caravan and Motorhome Club has the ability to issue CL certificates to landowners or tenants to run these small touring sites for the exclusive use of our members across the UK as an exempted organisation under The Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960. 

"Members staying on CLs are required to act responsibly and the Club monitors all CLs on its network annually in line with statutory requirements and Club rules.

"The Club is considering this application. If you have any material comments to make regarding the application we would welcome your comments via our on-line form at www.caravanclub.co.uk/CLFeedback." 

The application reference number, which is required to make comments on the application, is 235.MK.TM.23 . The consultation period lasts until Tuesday, October 24. 

Alongside Certified Locations certificates, landowners can now also give notice to the local authority to have a 60-day temporary recreational campsite under certain conditions. Until 2020, permission was only granted for up to 28 days, and then 56 days between 2020-21. 

Landowners have already made use of this law with the Lake District Park Authority allowing Valley End farm in Newby Bridge to operate a 60-day temporary campsite from August to October.