Plans have been submitted to Highland Council for a proposed glamping development near Birchwood, close to Artafallie on the Black Isle. The application, submitted by David Bisset’s agents MH Planning Associates, seeks permission to install five timber glamping pods on vacant scrubland immediately north of the existing Birchwood Cottage self-catering business.
Each proposed pod would include two bedrooms, a kitchen/lounge area, bathing facilities, external decking, and a porch. In addition, the plan includes a workshop and office building that would house laundry facilities, alongside a dedicated sewage treatment plant for the site.
According to MH Planning Associates, the proposal is in response to increasing demand for glamping-style accommodation in locations near popular tourist routes such as the North Coast 500.
“There is at present a growing demand for ‘glamping’ type accommodation, particularly where this is close to the route of the popular North Coast 500,” the agents stated.
According to the Inverness Courier, the application also highlights alignment with local and national planning policy that encourages sustainable tourism development.
“The [national] policy intention is to encourage, promote, and facilitate sustainable tourism development which benefits local people, and which inspires people to visit Scotland. Proposals that contribute to the viability, sustainability, and diversity of rural communities and local rural economy will be supported, particularly where this involves the diversification of existing rural businesses,” MH Planning Associates added.
Highland Council will review the application, and details are available for public consultation through the council’s Public Notice Portal. Interested parties are advised to check the portal for submission deadlines, consultation events, and additional documentation regarding the proposals.
For outdoor hospitality business owners, this application exemplifies current trends in rural accommodation development, including diversification of existing sites and leveraging tourism routes to attract visitors. Understanding planning frameworks and local policy support can be crucial for operators considering similar expansions or new developments in rural areas.