Glamping pod plan given the green light
Councillors overruled offices for plans which include domed pod and farming experience
PLANS for a Glamping Pod in the North Staffordshire countryside have been given the green light after councillors overruled planning officers and granted planning permission.
Plans for the Freehay in Cheadle site include a timber domed glamping pod with two bedrooms, complete with a farming experience.
The owners of The Dairy on Hollington Road want to create holiday accommodation in the countryside. However planning officers at Staffordshire Moorland District Council recommended that the application be refused.
They said the development would contribute to a random dispersal of new tourist development and the location does not have good connectivity with other tourist destinations and amenities. Additionally one resident objected to the proposals worrying that this would ‘open the flood gate.’
Planning agent, Rob Duncan said that the application should be approved as it conforms with the authorities tourism strategy. He said: “The submitted proposals accord firmly with the objectives and will provide a small-scale form of overnight accommodation that will help encourage visitors to remain in the area, stay overnight and thereby help keep their spending in the local economy.
“The tourism strategy acknowledges that the countryside within the Moorlands is outstanding and identifies the landscape and gentle activity such as cycling and walking as being an area of strength within the Moorlands.
“The application site attracts direct access to the local footpath networks, footpaths Cheadle 15 and 44, which provide direct access to the countryside and consequently this site can be readily held to be well connected to one of the main attractions of the Moorlands, its countryside.”
Applicant Lee Doyle added: “This application will fulfil and support our retirement plan to sustain and diversify our lovely home and agricultural smallholding but offer a great experience to Staffordshire Moorland visitors.
“In the last four years we have become well connected to perhaps the Moorlands biggest attraction and that’s its beautiful countryside and we want people to come and experience it and have a peaceful holiday in our lovely surroundings.”
The Dairy wants to attract families and couples who want to experience the Moorlands countryside. They are also planning to offer guests a simple farming experience including farm animal handling with sheep and lambs, additionally they plan to have two alpacas for walking the 5.5 acre site.
Councillor Mike Haines (Lab) called the application into the planning meeting and spoke about why it should be approved.
He told the committee: “I don’t believe a 10 minute walk to the local pub or restaurant to be excessive, also public footpath Cheadle 15 starts directly opposite the entrance to The Dairy and allows walkers to access the countryside.
“Although there are alternative accommodation sites in the area Mr Doyle intends to provide a different offer of a glamping experience in a small holder setting in the peaceful Staffordshire Moorlands.
“The accommodation will allow guests the opportunity to learn about farming, feed the animals and learn about the countryside way of life. None of the alternative accommodations listed in the officers report include this same setting or experience as The Dairy can provide and therefore it is a unique offering.”
Councillors were overwhelmingly in support of the proposals with many saying the council should be encouraging diversification and the proposals offer something new that is not currently available. Councillors voted unanimously to approve the scheme.