COVE UK, the company which owned Hunters Quay Holiday Village before entering administration late last year, has been given the green light for a major expansion at a holiday park in the Scottish Borders.
Plans for the extension were approved this week by the Scottish Borders Council’s Planning and Building Standards Committee, for 36 new static caravans at Springwood Caravan Park, part of Springwood Village on the outskirts of Kelso.
The decision comes just months after Cove Communities Holiday Park UK entered administration in November, with administrators Alvarez & Marsal taking control of a number of sites, including Hunters Quay Holiday Village, Drimsynie Holiday Village, Loch Awe Holiday Park, Loch Eck Caravan Park, Loch Eck Country Lodges, St Catherine’s Caravan Park, Stratheck Holiday Park and Loch Lomond Holiday Park.
Three other Cove holiday parks outwith the local region — Gwel an Mor Resort in Cornwall, Solway Holiday Park in Cumbria and Springwood Holiday Park in Kelso — also entered into administration.
Approval of the Kelso expansion has come as a shock to some residents, including those currently living at Springwood and those affected by uncertainty at Hunters Quay.
However, planning officers in the Borders said Cove’s financial position was not a material consideration in determining the application.
The decision comes as uncertainty continues to surround the future of Hunters Quay Holiday Village and other Argyll parks, with administrators continuing efforts to secure buyers and long-term operators for the sites.
