Campaign for Real Aires UK - CAMpRA

https://eplanning.scotborders.gov.uk/on ... VFBNTMB300

Reference: 21/00049/CLEU
Address; Springwood Park Showground Kelso Scottish Borders TD5 8LS.
Proposal: Part change of use of ground to provide touring caravans/motorhomes site.
Application Received: Thu 14 Jan 2021.
Status: Registered/ Pending Consideration.

Proposal Details
Proposal Name 100327035
Proposal Description Change of Use to site Touring
Caravans/Motorhomes on 1.99 ha of the 19.19ha Springwood Park Site. This is as a
direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic as there is an immediate need in the Kelso
Area to provide a safe area for visitors to use.
Address SPRINGWOOD PARK SHOWGROUND,
SPRINGWOOD VILLAGE, KELSO, TD5 8LS
Local Authority Scottish Borders Council
Application Online Reference 100327035-003


BORDER UNION AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
BORDERS EVENTS CENTRE, SPRINGWOOD PARK, KELSO, TDS BLS .


SUPPORTING STATEMENT :
Based in the 19 hectare Springwood Park the Border Union Agricultural Society holds 4 core Events Annually – An Educational Schools Day, A Championship Dog Show, 2 Day Agricultural Show & The World Renowned Ram Sales. Its Border Events Centre facilitates numerous year round Indoor (1000 sq. m Hall) and Outdoor Events.
Since mid-March 2020 there have been virtually no Events on Site and the BUAS has had to restructure severely to reduce its overheads to ensure it’s survival beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
BUAS seeks a Certificate of Existing Use for 1.99 hectares of Springwood Park for the siting of Touring Caravans/Motorhomes.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, current overseas travel restrictions and a resurgence for holidaying in the UK we feel there is an immediate need in the Kelso area to provide a location where visitors in the confines of their own self isolated security can come and stay.
Springwood is ideally placed and equipped to provide this facility. It has the necessary effluent & waste drainage capacity and power hook-ups due to the Site’s Event use.
Economically this will help support the local Kelso economy and the wider Borders business community whilst helping to ensure the survival and viability of BUAS, who all collectively would normally benefit from the numerous activities at Springwood Park.

I will have a word with BUAS to find out what is happening. They already have CAMpRA information.

They now have the permission through that allows use of the proposed areas to be used for camping. The problem is that they have not thought through how they are going to take bookings and have someone look after it.
They have lost a good bit of business this summer judging by the number of vans in the town.

Oh Dear! I wonder how that could be managed? Is an honesty box an option in the short term? Is it 'camping' they have permission for or motorhome parking?

Have they advertised it? This is why we suggested an Aire as a campsite requires , booking, check in, cleaning and maintenance etc. An Aire is just turn up and park.

I have been to see the management of BUAS. They are not going to be a normal campsite as the entire showground is used for several events each year. They have gone for campsite planning to enable them to have a wider range of camping events. Up until now the camping events on the park have been done under the exemption status of the groups camping there. The new planning status will enable non exempt organisations and groups of individuals to use the park. We discussed various options to widen the range of units they could accept. An aire there is not an immediate option.

Thats a disappointment it was a site we identified last year when we drove through Kelso unable to stay and visit.

Spoke to Dan the manager at Borders Events Centre. They have never had the permission for a campsite in writing from SBC, although they have been told that permission has been granted. They have no idea who put up the sign at the place where motorhomes normally park. It was not at their instigation. They only found out when someone wanted to come onto the park!

So are they still against having an Aire? If they're coming round they could be prime candidates for CCP or Revolution Laundries.

So are they still against having an Aire? If they're coming round they could be prime candidates for CCP or Revolution Laundries.