Redcar and Cleveland Council has approved plans for a new glamping site near Roseberry Topping, marking a significant development for local tourism. The site, located on farmland at High Farm off the A173, will feature 10 portable self-contained shepherd’s huts equipped with modern amenities including hot tubs, kitchens, bathrooms, parking spaces, and solar panels for renewable energy according to an article by The Northern Farmer.
The economic potential played a crucial role in the project’s approval. The applicant, Simon Sykes, submitted a supporting statement highlighting the strategic location of the glamping site. The statement noted that “there is a need for overnight accommodation due to the high number of tourists that visit this area and the relative lack of local accommodation.”
The North York Moors National Park Authority expressed concerns about the project, describing it as harmful ribbon development into the open countryside and potentially impacting the park’s dark skies status. However, the planning officer’s report addressed these issues, stating that the site is close to Roseberry Topping and neighboring hills but is not within the North York Moors National Park boundary. The report noted that “due to the limited scale of the development and the use of sympathetic materials” the project would not create an incongruous feature in the landscape.
Environmental considerations have been a key factor in the project’s approval. The Environment Agency advised on proper management of waste water from hot tubs, recommending chemical-free and cooled discharge onto vegetated land away from water sources. Additionally, a condition was included in the planning permission to control lighting and minimize its effect on the dark skies of the North York Moors National Park.
The approval of this glamping site aligns with the broader goals outlined in the Redcar and Cleveland Local Plan, which emphasizes sustainable development and the conservation of natural assets. It also reflects a growing trend in the area, where agricultural landowners are increasingly diversifying into the leisure sector to capitalize on the region’s natural beauty and tourist appeal. As the project progresses, efforts will focus on mitigating potential environmental impacts, in line with the conditions set by the council.