Planners approve glamping site but deputies get last say

The final decision will be made by Development & Planning Authority members after an open planning meeting today.

Danny Barnes has applied for permission to convert an agricultural field at Rue des Paysans au Val into a campsite, with six glamping units, a swimming pool and a service block.

Planners concluded that while the land was in an agricultural priority area, the proposal was justified, and they recommended the scheme be approved.

‘The associated development proposed is proportionate to the campsite and would not have adverse visual or other environmental impacts,’ a planning spokesman said.

‘Although a number of objections have been received, from neighbours and others, it is considered that the adverse effects on the reasonable enjoyment of neighbouring properties would not be likely to be so significant to justify refusal of this application.’

The project has been amended since the application was first submitted, which proposed 10 glamping units.

Thirteen people objected to that scheme, raising concerns about allowing the venture on unspoilt countryside, the loss of agricultural land, possible noise pollution and the narrowness of the lanes. There were also worries about the land not being on the main drain.

The scaled-back plans drew three letters of complaint, which raised similar worries.

St Peter’s constables had raised concerns about the original plans and these were not allayed by scaling back the scheme.

‘[The douzaine] concluded overwhelmingly that they are steadfast in their opinion that this application should be rejected and that the land should be restored to its natural agricultural state in keeping with the surrounding areas,’ they said.

The tents would be used from April to October and dismantled for the rest of the year.

A Marketing and Tourism spokesman said that glamping, or glamorous camping, was very popular and that this site seemed to offer a good opportunity for such development.

‘The proposed development would appear to have the potential to offer a quality visitor experience in an uncrowded and peaceful location,’ he said.

‘The inclusion of a swimming pool for guest use, while unusual and even unexpected at a site of this scale, will clearly provide an uplift to the overall level of amenity for guests, and it is noted that the area designated for the pool is already the site of a pond.’

While the bulk of the land is classed as being poor quality, an Agriculture, Countryside & Land Management Services spokesman said it could still be useful for cropping for the dairy industry.

But he noted that there was no evidence the land had been used for crops in more than 40 years.