Glamping huts in Whitchurch recommended for approval by planning officers

Proposals have been put forward to allow eight camping pitches along with two wooden glamping huts at Hadley Farm, in Whitchurch as the farm continues to diversify.

The site, owned by applicant Paul Wynn, is already open to alternative uses. It has an equestrian cross country course with a café as well as an 18 pitch caravan park which has an existing toilet and shower block.

Now, Mr Wynn and his wife hope they can introduce camping at the site.

No objections have been received by Shropshire Council.

Sue Collins, case officer for Shropshire Council, said Whitchurch Town Council has requested that additional landscaping be provided at the site.

The Canal and Rivers Trust have also requested that a form of barrier is installed on the boundary with the canal to prevent vehicles from being driven into the canal.

She said a condition is recommended for inclusion on any planning permission granted that the details of the barrier are approved prior to its installation.

She added: "There are no residential properties within close proximity of the application site. Therefore the proposal will have no impact on residential amenities of the area.

"The proposals will help to improve the offer of tourism facilities within the Whitchurch area as well as providing diversity within the agricultural holding.

"By increasing tourism in the area, it will also have a realistic potential to support the commercial vitality of the town and surrounding areas.

"It is the opinion of officers that the proposal will provide a useful contribution to the tourist accommodation in the Whitchurch area and will increase the type of accommodation available.”

The site, which can be accessed off the A525, is close to the Llangollen branch of the Shropshire Union Canal as well as the Whixall Mosses.

In documents put forward on behalf of Mr Wynn, it says: “Camping pitches and glamping pods allows for another dimension to the business attracting a number of visitors to the area who do not own caravans but still wish to visit the area.

“The provision of up to eight camping pitches and up to two glamping pods will provide an additional opportunity to diversify further without having an undue impact on the existing business or the local surrounds.

“Diversification opportunities of this nature which encourage visitors to Shropshire is considered to be policy compliant under both the national and local policy, and so it is hoped that the scheme would be looked on favourably by the council.”

A further 10 car parking spaces would be created for guests, and the pods would not be permanent but could be moved around if necessary.

The plans will be discussed at a meeting of Shropshire Council's north planning committee on Tuesday at 2pm.