Happy campers in Whitehill following Rural Development grant

Whitehill Caravan Park in Carnlough has extended its site after securing a £50,000 grant they received through the Mid and East Antrim Rural Development Programme.

The family run caravan park has been trading since 1974.

The site sits in a spectacular setting with views to the mountains and sea, and is within a five minute walk of the village centre.

The park provided space for 90 caravan pitches but over the years the supply of pitches has been exhausted in the village and in the Glens of Antrim.

With the grant they received it allowed them to create an extension of 22 new static pitches and five touring pitches.

The village of Carnlough is heavily reliant on the tourism business so the park extension will supplement the trade of many local business especially in the quieter off peak seasons.

The creation of the five touring sites will also provide a form of overnight tourist accommodation not currently available anywhere in the village of Carnlough.

Robert McKay, Owner, Whitehill Caravan Park said: “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, and we’re extremely grateful for the investment from the LAG Board to facilitate this expansion.”

Commenting on the completion of the project, Mid and East Antrim LAG Board Vice Chair, Kelli Bagchus, said: “The LAG is delighted Whitehill Caravan Park were able to avail of this funding. There is currently a gap along the Causeway Coastal route for touring visitors and the expansion will help fill this. In addition it will boost the evening economy in Carnlough”.

Mid and East Antrim Local Action Group is funded under Priority 6 (LEADER) of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, and the European Union.