How to prepare site infrastructure and guest facilities

Getting your site’s core infrastructure right is the most important physical step in building your business. Before you can think about welcoming guests, you must complete the heavy groundwork to provide safe access, reliable utilities like water and electricity, and clean, functional facilities. This is the backbone of your campsite; it ensures a positive guest experience and is often a requirement for getting your site licence.

Breaking Ground: Access, Pitches, and Drainage

This is where your paper plans become a reality. The very first job is usually to establish a safe and durable access road. Think about the types of vehicles that will use it, from guest cars and large motorhomes to delivery lorries and, crucially, emergency services. The road needs to be wide enough and have a solid foundation to handle the traffic in all weather conditions.

Once access is sorted, you can begin shaping the site itself:

• Levelling Pitches: Work on creating flat, well-drained areas for tents, caravans, and glamping units. No one enjoys sleeping on a slope or waking up in a puddle.
• Drainage: Proper drainage across the site is essential to prevent pitches and paths from becoming a muddy mess after heavy rain. This might involve installing French drains or grading the land to direct water away from key areas.
• Pathways: Create clear, safe pathways connecting the pitches to the amenity blocks and other facilities. A simple mown path might be enough, or you may opt for gravel or woodchip for a more durable surface.

The Essentials: Connecting Your Utilities

This is often the most complex and expensive part of the setup, and it’s vital to get it right for both safety and legal compliance. You should always use qualified and certified tradespeople for this work.

1. Water Supply: You will need to run pipes to provide drinking water at designated points and to supply your amenity blocks. Ensure all external pipes are buried deep enough or lagged to prevent them from freezing in winter.
2. Electricity: If you plan to offer electric hook-ups (EHUs), you’ll need to lay heavy-duty armoured cabling to each pitch. This work must be carried out by a qualified electrician who can provide the necessary safety certificates required by your licence and insurance. You will also need power for lighting and any facilities in the amenity block.
3. Waste Management: This is a critical consideration. If you can’t connect to the mains sewer, you will need to install an on-site system like a septic tank or a small sewage treatment plant. These require careful planning to comply with environmental regulations. You will also need a dedicated, well-signed Chemical Disposal Point (CDP) for guests to empty their chemical toilets.

Building for Comfort: The Amenity Blocks

The quality of your toilets and showers will be one of the main things guests remember and mention in reviews. Whether you are building from scratch, converting an old barn, or buying a pre-fabricated unit, the principles are the same.

• Durability and Hygiene: Use robust, commercial-grade fittings and fixtures. Surfaces should be non-porous and easy to clean – think waterproof wall panels instead of tiles with grout lines that can attract mould.
• Ventilation: Good extraction fans and ventilation are essential to remove steam and prevent damp and condensation.
• Layout and Capacity: Ensure you have enough toilets, showers, and washing-up sinks to meet the needs of your guests at peak capacity. Your local council may have specific ratios you must meet as part of your licence conditions.

Top Tips for a Smooth Build

Future-Proof Your Trenches: When you are digging trenches for water pipes or electric cables, lay extra empty conduit (plastic piping) at the same time. This makes it dramatically cheaper and easier to add more services in the future, like Wi-Fi cabling or power to new pitches.

Budget for the Unexpected: Groundworks often uncover surprises, from buried rocks to poor soil conditions. It’s wise to keep a contingency fund of at least 10-15% of your total build cost to cover unforeseen problems.

Consider a Phased Approach: You don't have to build the entire site in one go. You could start with a smaller number of pitches and basic facilities, then use the revenue generated to fund expansion in your second or third year. This can make the initial investment more manageable.