Glamping proposal for farmland

A NEW glamping pod development could spring up in County Durham under proposals lodged with planning chiefs.

Earlier in February, a planning application was submitted to Durham County Council for land west of the farm property Derecroft in the Iveston area near Consett.

This included installing five glamping pods with associated timber decking on land adjacent to an existing riding arena and farmyard.

According to planning documents, each pod would benefit from cooking facilities, toilet and wash facilities, a double bed, ‘spacious seating’ and two children’s bunk beds.

The pods would also be serviced by mains water and electricity and would have dedicated parking facilities.

A planning and heritage statement, prepared for the applicant, reads: “The [National Planning Policy Framework] places great emphasis on the need to support development that boosts the rural economy and, in this context, local planning policy allows development in countryside where it is related to tourism and other appropriate rural uses, including farm diversification.

“The proposal for the installation of glamping pods supports rural diversification and will allow the farm enterprise to thrive and expand, in turn generating local employment and investment.”

The proposal has been backed by the county’s tourism management agency, Visit County Durham. The organisation noted there is “generally an undersupply of visitor accommodation to meet market demand”.