A proposed glamping development in Flintshire is expected to receive approval despite objections from local residents regarding road safety and the potential impact on the area’s character.
The application, submitted in October 2023 by Darren and Kelly Skillin, seeks permission to install five wooden glamping pods and five tent pitches on a site near Bryn Morgan House in Northop.
The proposal also includes plans for a building containing showers, toilets, and washing facilities, aimed at accommodating short-stay tourists.
The site lies off Starkey Lane, a rural route that some local residents have described as unsuitable for increased traffic, according to Herald Wales.
In advance of Flintshire Council’s planning committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 18 June, the application has been recommended for approval by the council’s chief planning officer, Andrew Farrow.
In a formal objection submitted via email, a resident stated: “Starkey Lane and Allt Goch Lane are quiet lanes with the only businesses that we are aware of being farm businesses. It is a close community where people know each other and feel safe.”
They raised concerns about environmental impacts, road safety, and the potential for anti-social behaviour. “There have already been several accidents in the last 12 months on Starkey/Allt Goch, including near misses along the stretch of road outside Bryn Morgan,” the resident added.
Three letters of objection were submitted in total, with critics of the plan citing concerns about increased noise and its possible effect on local wildlife.
In his report, Mr. Farrow addressed these issues, stating, “The relatively small-scale development being proposed is considered to be beneficial for the rural economy whilst not impacting on the character and appearance of the open countryside location.”
He acknowledged concerns regarding traffic but noted that “highways development control officers have negotiated with the applicant to ensure that adequate visibility can be achieved from the existing access and that improvements to the highway verge can be secured.”
To mitigate concerns about disruption to local residents, the planning officer noted that the closest homes are over 200 metres from the proposed site and are separated by mature hedgerows and trees, which would serve as visual and noise buffers.
Regarding fears of anti-social behaviour, Farrow said, “Whilst the concerns are noted, there is no evidence that the proposed glamping and camping business would give rise to anti-social behaviour.”
If the committee follows the recommendation, planning permission will be granted subject to conditions, including the requirement that the glamping pods be used exclusively for holiday purposes. In addition, road improvements will need to be completed before the development can proceed.
For professionals in the outdoor hospitality sector, the Flintshire case reflects the balancing act many rural glamping developers face—responding to local concerns while making the case for the economic value of small-scale tourism accommodations.
The outcome could serve as a procedural reference for similar projects navigating planning processes and community objections.