A planning application has been submitted for a potential glamping site in the Ayrshire countryside. The proposed development would involve changing the use of agricultural land at 13 Collenan in Loans to accommodate four shepherd huts intended for overnight guest stays.
The application, submitted by James Gilmour and represented by Edinburgh-based planning agents Glampitect, is currently listed as “pending consideration” on South Ayrshire Council’s online planning portal, with a decision expected in April 2026.
According to the application, the site would include outdoor patio areas, permeable footpaths, a vehicular track with parking and turning areas, recycling and refuse storage, a storage shed, and secure bicycle storage.
Minor landscaping is also planned, including the planting of native trees, shrubbery, and meadow grass with wildflowers to support biodiversity. The shepherd huts would be constructed off-site and delivered as fully finished units ready to connect to utilities.
According to the Daily Record, the application describes the project as a small-scale development intended to diversify the 13 Collenan holding and support agricultural operations by providing discreet countryside accommodations.
“The site is proposed to be in operation year-round, making it an excellent option for visitors to retreat and access everything the area has to offer in all seasons,” the supporting statement reads.
Planners have indicated that the development is near, but not within, a designated Green Belt area. The statement emphasizes efforts to minimize visual impact by carefully considering the siting, scale, and materials of the huts while retaining and supplementing existing boundary trees and hedgerows.
The proposal highlights the site’s proximity to Smuggler’s Trail and National Cycle Network Route 7, suggesting that the glamping site could support recreational use and sustainable tourism in line with Green Belt objectives.
For business owners in the outdoor hospitality sector, this proposal illustrates the integration of glamping accommodations with agricultural land, emphasizing sustainable design, low-impact development, and alignment with local outdoor recreation networks.
Understanding how such projects balance tourism, land use, and environmental considerations could inform similar ventures elsewhere.