Glamping site could start offering winter holidays

Permission was granted in 2018 to install six glamping units, a swimming pool and services block on a site at Rue des Paysans au Val in St Peter’s.

But use was limited to between March and October and the tents had to be removed in the winter. An amendment allowed this to be extended.

But the latest application goes a step further, asking for glamping to be allowed year-round, except between 5 January and 5 February.

Architects PF&A submitted a letter, with quotes from applicant Danny Barnes.

Mr Barnes said they had thought people would not want to go glamping during the winter.

But the first 2020 season had been a great success, with the summer months fully booked.

The autumn months of September and October were very busy as well and Mr Barnes said they had received a surprising number of enquiries from people keen to stay there in the winter months.

He highlighted that there were oil-fired heaters and blankets to help keep people warm.

‘We were totally surprised by the number of enquiries we had and how prepared they were for the cooler days,’ he said in the application letter.

‘We also received several requests for the whole site for the Christmas period and for the New Year period, where families wanted to all get together for a two-night stay.’

Mr Barnes said that during the winter costs still had to be covered, such as insurance and maintenance, but there was no income to offset this.

Extending the opening times would help cover these costs and also promote Guernsey as a year-round destination.

‘We do feel we have already proven that the site is viable and there is a lot of demand for this extended season,’ Mr Barnes said.

He added that he was not aware of any complaints about the site.

If the application is approved, it would come into effect from 1 November.

n The application can be viewed at https://www.gov.gg/liveplanningapplications.