A proposal to establish six glamping pods on land near Glenluce Primary School will be reviewed by Dumfries and Galloway Council this week, following a series of objections from residents living near Bankfield Farm.
The application, submitted by Kenneth McKinstry, seeks permission for small-scale visitor accommodation on a greenfield site currently designated for grazing. Although Bankfield Farm is no longer operational, the land sits close to several homes and directly east of the village primary school.
According to planning documents, the pods would be accessed via a field gate on Bankfield Road, which leads to a shared private way. Each unit would include a timber decked area with seating and a hot tub.
Planning agent Edwin Adamson stated that the applicant aimed to limit potential impacts on neighbours, noting that the pods were designed with measures intended to reduce noise and minimise lighting levels at night.
He said the project “is intended to have the least impact it can have on the current location, or at least as little impact as any new development can in a rural setting,” and added that the proposal “has little or no impact on surrounding neighbours and offers little or no land use conflict issues.”
Fifteen residents have lodged objections, raising issues related to traffic, potential antisocial behaviour, and the proximity of tourism accommodation to a school. One resident expressed concerns about the site’s elevation and visibility over the school grounds, writing:
“The proposal is located in direct vicinity to Glenluce Primary School. Contrary to the application, the school’s greenery does not provide adequate screening and is deciduous.”
”Due to the site’s elevation over the school, the school grounds and the school building are easily overlooked. This raises serious safeguarding concerns due to the number of visitors of the proposed glamping site and the possibility of overlooking the school grounds and playing children.”
According to DNG24, other objections argue that the development could generate noise, increase vehicle movements, and conflict with policy guidance on tourism uses in rural communities.
Planning case officer Iona Brooke has recommended refusal, stating that “it is not compatible with the character and amenity of Glenluce and it conflicts with the established surrounding land uses in this location due to the nature of the tourism activity proposed.”
Councillors are expected to assess the proposal at the upcoming planning committee meeting this week. Their decision will determine whether the glamping development can proceed or whether further revisions or alternative site considerations will be required.
For business owners in outdoor hospitality, the application reflects a broader trend of increased scrutiny on new glamping developments situated near sensitive community locations.
Local authorities continue to assess proposals not only on economic impact, but also on neighbour relations, school proximity, traffic patterns, and the evolving expectations of rural residents. As councils give heightened attention to compatibility with established land uses, project siting and community engagement remain critical factors for operators planning new accommodation offerings.