Since 2022, more than two-thirds of planning applications for glamping pods in rural areas of County Kerry have been rejected, highlighting tensions between local tourism ambitions and current planning policies.
An investigation by The Kerryman found that of 20 rural applications submitted since that year, only four were approved. In contrast, all seven applications within urban settlements were granted permission, allowing the development of 41 pods.
The council’s planning framework specifies that it will “support the development of appropriately scaled” camping, glamping, campervan, and caravan accommodations “within or adjacent to existing settlements, established tourism assets, or adjacent to a main farmyard complex on suitable sites.”
This objective has contributed to the rejection of rural applications. Half of the declined rural applications cited the sites’ locations outside settlement boundaries as the primary reason, representing a total of 32 potential pods. Only one of these proposals faced a formal public objection.
Other reasons for denial included concerns about wastewater disposal and objections from Transport Infrastructure Ireland regarding traffic safety for developments entering national secondary roads. Five applications were withdrawn or deemed incomplete.
At a Kerry County Council meeting last month, planning directors noted that applications for alternative tourism accommodations are evaluated on a case-by-case basis against multiple criteria, but acknowledged that securing approval outside settlements is generally more difficult.
Dingle-based Councillor Brosnan told the Irish Independent that the council had “admitted” there was a “slim to none chance” of gaining permission if the land was not included in the official zoning map.
Councillor Jackie Healy-Rae added, “It is virtually impossible to get planning outside settlement boundaries. Our county development plan does not support tourism…we want there to be a possibility within this plan that we are open to a case-by-case basis.”
Kerry County Council responded that the current policy does support rural tourism, but officials remain concerned about whether necessary infrastructure, including wastewater management, can be implemented effectively. The council indicated that internal discussions have taken place and that planning rules may be reconsidered in the future.
For business owners in the outdoor hospitality sector, the data underscores the importance of understanding local planning regulations and infrastructure requirements when proposing rural developments.
Sites within or adjacent to settlements are significantly more likely to receive approval, while rural parcels may require detailed planning strategies to address council concerns and regulatory compliance.