Tourism is set to be given a boost in East Antrim with a proposed expansion of a caravan park in Carnlough.

A planning application has been lodged with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for an extension to the caravan park at Whitehill Road.

The family-run caravan park has been trading since 1974.

The development would see provision of 31 additional static sites and the creation of three touring caravan pitches at Whitehill Caravan Park.

placeholder image — Robert McKay, owner of Whitehill Caravan Park in Carnlough pictured on receipt of funding from Mid and East Antrim Rural Development Fund.

It will be located on land adjacent to the existing facility and the conversion of a farm building will provide an amenity building if the application is successful.

In 2019, Whitehill Caravan Park received £50,000 grant aid for expansion. Funding was provided through the Mid and East Antrim Rural Development Programme which enabled grant the business to create an extension of 22 new static pitches and five touring pitches.

Robert McKay, owner of Whitehill Caravan Park, said at the time: “The funding from the Mid & East Antrim RDP has allowed us to extend our park to meet the increasing demand for tourist accommodation on the Antrim Coast.

“We’ve now welcomed 22 new families on to the park’s static pitches and look forward to hosting touring caravanners for seasons to come. These families and visitors are critical to the ongoing growth of Carnlough.”

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter

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