Plans have been submitted to develop three glamping pods on a working farm near Balloch, according to a planning application lodged with Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority in 2025.
The proposal, submitted by MH Planning Associates on behalf of Joanne and Neil Wright, seeks permission to construct the holiday accommodation, associated parking areas, a new access track, and supporting infrastructure at Over Balloch Farm. The application is publicly available on the National Park Authority’s planning portal under reference 2025/0362/DET.
The proposed accommodation would consist of three glamping pods, each constructed on site from a timber kit. The design includes a hexagonal central section with two projecting wings. Each unit would also feature timber decking and a hot tub. Access to the pods would be provided by car, with new parking areas formed as part of the development.
A supporting statement submitted with the application outlines the rationale for the development and its role in the wider operation of the farm. The statement notes that the proposal is intended to support the long-term viability of the agricultural business through diversification.
The report states: “There is no reason why planning permission for the installation of 3 no. ‘glamping pods’, the formation of an access track and parking areas and the installation of a borehole and a package sewage treatment plant should not be able to be granted.”
It continues: “Given that this a ‘small scale’ tourism development it will be able to be supported on the basis that it involves the diversification of an existing rural business.”
According to the Helensburgh Advertiser, the supporting documentation also says: “Over Balloch is a working farm and the proposed ‘glamping’ pods will generate an additional income stream that will help support the farming activities.”
In addition, the statement confirms: “The proposed ‘glamping pods’ will be accessible by car and a new access track, and parking areas will be formed.”
The application will be assessed by the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority in line with its local development plan and national planning policy, with considerations likely to include landscape impact, access, infrastructure, and environmental management.
As with similar applications in protected or rural areas, public consultation forms part of the determination process before a decision is issued.
For outdoor hospitality and glamping operators, the proposal reflects a continued trend of small-scale, farm-based accommodation projects that combine tourism with rural business diversification.
Such developments can offer insights into how planning authorities approach glamping proposals within national parks, particularly in relation to scale, design, access, and the justification of tourism use as a secondary income stream.
Operators considering comparable projects may find value in reviewing applications like this to better understand documentation requirements, infrastructure expectations, and the language used to demonstrate alignment with rural and tourism planning policy.
Further details, including submitted plans and supporting reports, can be viewed via the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs planning application portal by searching reference 2025/0362/DET.