A revised retrospective planning application has been submitted for a glamping and camping site in Stalmine, Lancashire, following the refusal of an earlier proposal and a rejected appeal.
The Bowses Hill Farm site, which includes glamping pods, a woodland lodge, and tent pitches, had previously drawn around 60 objections from local residents, leading to the refusal of planning permission by Wyre Council and the issuance of an enforcement notice requiring the site to be dismantled.
George Sanderson, the operator of the site and a resident of Neds Lane, had defended the project last year, stating that it offered a “vibrant outdoor amenity for holidaying families” and was contributing “thousands of pounds into the local economy.”
However, after a formal appeal, the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol upheld the council’s decision, with the inspector ruling the site had “ended up as a most inappropriately large ‘holiday camp’ which was in the wrong place.”
The new application, submitted in mid-2025, seeks a change of use of the land for one holiday lodge, four camping pods, associated toilet and shower facilities, and the continued use of an adjacent agricultural field for up to 20 tent pitches.
The application, filed by PWA Planning on behalf of Mr. Sanderson, emphasizes a scaled-back development approach compared to the earlier proposal.
A planning statement accompanying the application references the Planning Inspector’s previous remarks, noting that while the original development was dismissed, the inspector had acknowledged that “a few normal camping tents on the open field and even the Pod and the Lodge might be acceptable and could retain the general appearance of the landscape.”
The statement also highlights that a “development which was appropriate in scale might be able to be achieved,” depending on agreement between the applicant and local planning authorities.
The planning consultants argue that the revised proposal aligns with local development policies and represents a “form of sustainable development” that should be supported.
The statement concludes that “if the development was proportionate in scale and accorded with other relevant policies within the WLP31, then the principle of a camping/glamping use of this site would be acceptable.”
According to The Gazette, some residents remain concerned. Objections to the original plans cited proximity to homes and potential noise and disruption in what is typically a quiet rural area.
For outdoor hospitality professionals, this case highlights the importance of aligning site developments with local planning frameworks, community expectations, and land use policy.
It also underscores the potential need for compromise in scale and scope to achieve planning approval in sensitive rural settings.