Verdict in on new glamping pod site in Lancashire which started construction without planning permission
A Rossendale farmer has been given planning approval for holiday pods, a toilet, shower and other infrastructure.
Applicant Jack Howorth has been given partly retrospective permission for the development at the former Parrock Mill site on Todmorden Road, Bacup.
Some of the work had been started without planning permission.
Mr Howorth, of Parrock Mill Barn, said tourist accommodation was needed to diversify his income, with changes happening to farming.
He apologised for starting without permission but said this was an innocent mistake through not being aware of planning requirements
Councillors on Rossendale Council’s development committee gave approval to the scheme at their latest meeting.
Consent was also granted for a gravel hard-standing area and infrastructure to service the pods.
The holiday pods will sit on wheels and provide overnight accommodation for up to two people each, with a seating area and small cooking and washing facilities.
Each pod will have a small raised timber deck and be connected to electricity and water supplies.
The plan also includes a shared toilet pod and shower for visitors.
All waste-water will go to a buried sewage treatment tank for filtration before discharging into Gleave Clough, whilst waste rubbish would be stored and collected near the toilet pod, the planning application stated.
A report for councillors said there were 22 letters in support of the plan.
Supporters said a development like this was needed for tourism in the Bacup area and farm diversification, and any impact on traffic or the environment would be low. Likewise, there would be no harm to nearby residents in the area.
However, there were 11 objections.
Concerns from objectors included extra traffic on Todmorden Road, road safety for children staying at the site and ‘cramped’ development.
There were also accusations of ‘inadequate’ plans to deal with sewage and that the land is greenfield not a ‘brownfield’ site.
Other concerns included visual harm to the countryside and the pods potentially leading the way to expansion with a bigger caravan site.
Rossendale planning officers had recommended approval with conditions.
This was supported by councillors on the committee.