South Cumbria Farm camping pods application set for rejection

An application by a farm in South Cumbria to install camping pods on site are set to be turned down by planners.

Members the planning committee for Westmorland and Furness Council are recommended to refuse plans to install three camping pods on Ecclerigg Hall Farm in Killington.

In a report, planning officers state: “The application site is located within the open countryside and within an unsustainable location as the occupants of the holiday units would be reliant on a private vehicle to access services.

“The applicant has submitted the application on the basis that the proposed development is a farm diversification scheme. Farm diversification is only considered justification for new holiday units in the open countryside in circumstances where the proposed units are considered ‘temporary and mobile’.

“As the proposed units are considered permanent buildings, and the applicant hasn’t demonstrated any exceptional circumstances, the application is not acceptable in principle. Additionally, the proposal would cause landscape harm, due to the proposed siting of the holiday units.”

The application says that the proposal is vital to the ongoing farming business and that the proposal is sought as a farm diversification scheme to support their existing rural business in a time of great uncertainty for the agricultural industry.

The applicant would provide ‘visitor experience packages’, promoting local businesses, attractions, local footpaths and cycle routes, as well as providing guests with a hamper of local produce for use during their stay.

The council refused the most recent application in October.

Planning officers also stated the applicant failed to provide a ‘sufficient’ ecological assessment of the site.

The planning committee will discuss the proposals on Thursday February 15 at Kendal Town Hall.