A NEW glamping site could spring up in County Durham.

A planning application has been submitted to Durham County Council for land west of the farm property Derecroft at Iveston, near Consett.

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

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

The pods would also have mains water, electricity and 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 is backed by the county’s tourism management agency, Visit County Durham.

In a statement submitted as part of the planning process, the organisation noted there is “generally an undersupply of visitor accommodation to meet market demand.”

During consultation so far, one neighbour has objected over noise, increased traffic and the potential impact on the environment.

A final decision on the planning application is expected by early April.

Comments can be made by writing to the council’s planning department or visiting its online planning portal.

For more information, visit publicaccess.durham.gov.uk/online-applications and search planning reference: DM/21/00290/FPA