Council planners give the green light for a ‘glamping’ site in Derbyshire countryside - despite objections

NE Derbyshire District Council’s planning committee granted planning permission on July 25 for Laura Hoggard’s application to change the use of an agricultural field to the south west of Holmgate Community Centre, off Mill Lane, at Holmgate, Clay Cross, into a ‘glamping’ site.

Derbyshire County Councillor Charlotte Cupit, who represents Clay Cross North, and many residents had raised concerns amounting to 22 letters of objection to the planning application.

Cllr Cupit said: “I am very disappointed with the majority decision to approve the application. Whilst I know any planning issue is for the committee to balance and weigh up, I, along with many local residents, was concerned by the impact this application will have on currently open countryside outside the settlement development, and the precedent this may now sadly set.”

Residents’ concerns included possible, detrimental impact on the countryside, increased traffic and congestion problems, an increase in noise and light pollution, security, and flooding risks.

Cllr Cupit also raised concerns that the proposed ‘glamping’ units on the site could become permanent dwellings and that any conditions regarding the site’s usage and disturbance issues would most likely be unenforceable.

The site application includes plans for six cabins with en-suite facilities, a reception building, a communal cabin and barbecue grill, 12 car parking places, six caravan pitches and a shower block with overall access from an entrance on Mill Lane.

Planners also had to consider the potential impact of the development on two nearby listed buildings including grade II listed Henmore Cottage and grade II listed farmhouse Ashmore House but a Conservation Officer stated that the development would not affect the setting of the two listed buildings.