Caravan park could become care village

A caravan and glamping park site could be turned into a "care village" for older people, under new plans submitted.

Salop Leisure said the Love2Stay site, just outside Shrewsbury, could be converted into 118 homes, with community facilities.

Six days ago Salop Leisure said it had seen an increase in staycation bookings, but in the planning application to Shropshire Council it said it wanted to make the move because of a "sustained decline in demand for the touring caravan use".

It also said there was a need for accommodation for the over-55s in Shropshire.

The award-winning Love2Stay site opened in 2017 and added glamping lodges in 2021.

The site has an open-air cold water swimming pool, saunas and hot tubs, an assault course, kayaking and a woodland school.

The site owners have decided it was time to "diversify and pivot".

It said the national decline in touring caravan use was significant because that was a "key component of the site's offer".

Salop Leisure's agents, Berrys, said: "Usage of the site by tourers has slowed and shifting to unviability."

As a result it said it had moved to partner with a local care provider and would make use of the existing buildings, landscaping and hard standing areas.

The application lists a number of facilities which would be available to residents, including the existing lake, gym, cafe and walking trails.

There would also be hot and cold water pools, community gardens or allotments, pickle or paddle courts and a bowls club with pavillion.

It said the result would be a unique care community "in a pleasant environment, to meet the needs of Shropshire's aging population in a sensitive manner".

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