A proposal to install three glamping pods on land adjacent to Stubbs Ghyll in Mockerkin has been submitted to Cumberland Council for consideration.
The planning application, filed in recent weeks and now available for public comment, outlines the installation of the pods along with vehicle access to the site. The council will accept representations through its website or in writing at the Carlisle Civic Centre.
According to the planning statement, each pod would have an associated parking space. The pods would be arranged in a line facing down the sloping field, positioned behind an existing mature hedge that fronts the highway.
The applicant says this hedge would screen the development from road users throughout the year.
The pods are described as small, single-storey structures designed to sit low in the landscape, with the land to be “graded in such a way to minimize their impact on the environment.” The report adds that proposed hard and soft landscaping would be maintained by the applicant.
According to News & Star, the submission indicates that access drives and parking areas would be made from sustainable materials, stating:
“The access drives and parking areas will be constructed out of sustainable materials with no hard surfaces proposed.” Pod exteriors would be finished with materials selected during the consultation process, with the aim of blending the structures into their surroundings.
The planning report states: “This will ensure the built form of the development will determine the visual impression they make, including all aspects, including materials, decoration, lighting, colour and texture.”
If approved, the site would operate year-round. The applicant says it intends to create “a tranquil retreat for visitors to enjoy the western lakes in all seasons, and further contributing to the resilience and sustainability of the local tourism economy.” The proposal also notes that visitor habits continue to shift in favour of small-scale accommodation.
“By responding to evolving visitor preferences and emerging tourism trends, the glamping pod project will help ensure that our existing holiday business will remain a sustainable and adaptable rural tourism destination into the future.”
The report acknowledges the rural location, noting that bus services in the area are infrequent. Visitors are expected to arrive by car or bicycle, with the site located approximately six miles from the A66 and close to Cockermouth.
Emergency services access is described as straightforward, with vehicles able to reach the site directly from the adjacent highway.
For outdoor hospitality operators, the application highlights trends influencing rural tourism development, including the continued demand for low-impact accommodation and year-round stay options. The proposal also reflects ongoing adaptation by operators seeking to diversify offerings and strengthen business resilience amid shifting visitor expectations.
The application is available to view on the Cumberland Council planning portal. Written comments and objections may be submitted to the Assistant Director, Thriving Places, Cumberland Council, Planning, Civic Centre, Carlisle, CA3 8QG.