A bid to create a small eco-friendly glamping attraction in Moniaive, a village in Dumfriesshire, England has been rejected due to flood risk concerns and the visual impact of the proposed cabins.
Developer Alex Duncan’s plans for six glamping pods at Caitloch Plantation, about two Kilometer North of Moniaive, were turned down by the Dumfries and Galloway Council’s planning committee last week.
The proposed site was designed to attract tourists to Moniaive and benefit the local economy, with the inclusion of new road access, a parking area, and drainage facilities.
However, the council’s planning chiefs expressed concerns about flood risk on the site and the visual impact of the new cabins.
Multiple objections were raised by local residents, including Moniaive resident David Wilson, who attended the meeting to voice their concerns.
Wilson stated, “The list of objectors includes all residents in the glen. Also, there are other objections from people living in the wider community who know how unsuitable the proposed site would be. The people living in the glen feel very strongly that it would be wrong for this development to be imposed on the community that doesn’t want it or need it.
The main grounds for objection highlighted the detrimental impact on the landscape, both visual and environmental.
Wilson argued that the proposal was visually out of character with the surroundings and that the beauty of the glen was its traditional unspoiled feature.
In defense of the project, a letter read on behalf of Duncan stated, “The aim is to create a small development which will concentrate on providing a responsible eco and sustainable tourism type facility quite unlike anything else in the area”
“It would attract a whole new type of tourist for short and long stays on a self-catering basis. The intention is to be carbon neutral whilst having a very light touch on the landscape. Importantly, this will bring increased revenue to local businesses via groceries, meals, and entertainment, and thereby benefit the community as a whole,” Duncan added.
Despite Duncan’s defense, the planning committee remained unconvinced. Councillor Archie Dryburgh called for the application to be refused, pointing out that both the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and the council’s flood risk management team raised objections and were not provided with the requested information. Councillor Ivor Hyslop supported this viewpoint, expressing concerns over flooding and visual impact.
The committee ultimately voted unanimously to reject the development. For glamping business owners, this case serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing environmental concerns and working closely with local communities to ensure a successful planning process. The outcome also highlights the need for developers to provide comprehensive information to relevant agencies and be prepared to address objections during the planning stage.