Plans to extend and upgrade Ellerbeck Fishery in the Brigham area could see the introduction of holiday lodges and glamping pods, subject to approval by Cumberland Council. The proposal relates to an existing fishery and caravan site and forms part of a planning application seeking permission for additional visitor accommodation alongside landscape improvements.
The application outlines plans for 35 holiday lodges and five glamping pods on the site. According to the decision notice, planning permission would be subject to conditions, including requirements around landscaping, layout, and design.
A planning report accompanying the application states that the lodges would be positioned within both existing and newly proposed planting to reduce visual impact.
“The site is already heavily wooded, and the proposal seeks to merge the new layout into the landscape to minimise the impact of the development on the site and surrounding area,” the report states.
Both the lodges and glamping pods are described as single-storey structures, with landscaping identified as a central element of the proposal. The report notes that the applicants recognize the sensitivity of the location and the importance of protecting the established character of the site.
It adds: “The new planting scheme will ensure that the amenities of the site will be enhanced and protected.”
Design considerations are also addressed within the planning documentation. According to the report, the lodges are intended to blend into their surroundings, with careful selection of colour, texture, decoration, and materials to ensure that their appearance does not dominate the landscape. The report states that these factors will help determine “the visual impression that they make on site.”
A separate report submitted as part of the application provides further background on the location, noting that the site covers approximately 4.73 hectares and has previously operated as a fishing lake and CL caravan park. It states: “It also had a former planning approval for eight timber lodges, which has now lapsed. The site is an established tourism and visitor destination.”
According to the News & Star, planning officers have assessed the proposal against environmental and landscape constraints, concluding that the submitted details address key considerations.
The report adds: “By the details as submitted with the application, we consider that the proposals minimise impacts on the surrounding environment. The constraints on the site are the existing landscape and contours, which have been respected by the proposed landscaping scheme.”
For business owners in the outdoor hospitality, glamping, and caravan sectors, the application reflects a broader trend of diversifying accommodation types within established sites.
Combining traditional caravan or touring facilities with fixed lodges and glamping units can offer operators a way to extend seasonality, appeal to new customer segments, and maximise revenue per pitch, while navigating increasingly detailed planning and environmental requirements.