Glampsite Plans Prove Controversial
Plans for a glamping site near the edge of Newport, on the Isle of Wight have been revised after planning permission was denied. The original plans, which were recommended for approval by the planning officers, were for 28 glamping tents on the semi-rural site. Councillors rejected the plans on the basis that the tents would look like “a shanty town” which they didn’t feel was in keeping with the area and would negatively affect the surrounding landscape.
Other issues with the plans included the impact of glamping on the residents nearby, including the smells of outdoor cooking as the tents did not have a kitchen area. Now, the plans have been revised and are for 13 glamping pods instead of tents, which will have a less noticeable visual impact and are more in keeping with the surroundings.
The wood-clad glamping pods will be a mixture of 1, 2 and 3 bed options, with a kitchen area inside to reduce the cooking and barbecue smells for local residents. There will also be a communal barbecue area for guests to use. It is hoped that by using these sustainable glamping pods instead of tents that the ecological impact will be mitigated and that the quality of the accommodation is more in keeping with the general plans for the area.
This is great news for glampers wanting to visit the Isle of Wight, as the rise of domestic holidays this year means more space will be available for people wanting a holiday without the risk of quarantine. We don’t know whether the site will be finished in time for the 2021 summer season. The big advantage of using pods instead of tents is that they offer suitable accommodation all year round as they are insulated and weather-proof.
While bell tents can be fitted with log burners and stay warm overnight even in colder weather, this can be off-putting for some people; so the insulation and extra facilities offered by glamping pods means this is a viable business whatever the weather. For glampsite owners, maximising the amount of time that your glamping accommodation can be used makes sound financial sense. There may be more of an initial investment, but the ability to rent out the pods through the spring and autumn months (even over the winter) means the returns can flow in steadily.
The other advantage of using semi-permanent glamping pods is that maintenance and cleaning is much easier. There is no concern over whether damp canvas will start growing mould, or that rips in the fabric could render the whole tent unusable. Cleaning up after guests is more efficient too, as there are hard surfaces to wipe making a big difference in the Covid era. The self-contained units with kitchen areas and en-suite bathroom facilities are also Covid secure, as guests don’t have to share these areas with other families.
Anyone thinking of setting up their own glampsite should take note of this development, as even when planning officers recommend that something is approved, there may still be many potential hurdles to overcome. Always think carefully about the surrounding area and what else is nearby as well as who can see, and even smell, the glampsite.
We think that high-end glamping experiences will continue to be popular as more people opt for a holiday at home and discover the magic of glamping. This means that the demand for luxury options will keep growing, so there has never been a better time to set up a glampsite.
