North Yorkshire Council has approved a proposal by Dawnay Estates to install ten timber glamping pods near the North Yorkshire Water Park at Wykeham Lakes, in a move that planners say aligns with the surrounding countryside and recent tourism developments in the region.
The decision, issued in June 2025, gives the estate the green light to move forward with its plans at Charm Park Lane, Wykeham.
The pods will be positioned in a grass field adjacent to the existing Charm Park Camping Field, which forms part of the broader water park estate. Councillors and planning officers concluded that the project would have “no detrimental impact on its countryside location.”
A planning officer for North Yorkshire Council noted that “the pods utilising the site will not form a readily visible or prominent feature outside of the site,” adding that “there will be no significant visual impact on the street scene or area in general.”
According to the BBC, officials deemed the structures to be “well integrated into the plot and general area.”
The approved glamping pods include three units measuring approximately 16ft (5m) by 10ft (3m), and seven slightly smaller pods measuring about 13ft (4m) by 10ft (3m).
Each pod will be approximately 8ft (2.5m) tall and constructed from timber with grey felt shingle cladding, as outlined in the submitted plans.
The development is subject to conditions, including a requirement to submit and receive approval for a biodiversity gain plan before construction begins.
North Yorkshire Council has mandated that the project must deliver a biodiversity net gain of at least 10%, in line with national planning policy to enhance environmental sustainability in rural development.
For outdoor hospitality operators, this decision reflects a growing trend in local government support for small-scale glamping developments that complement existing tourism infrastructure.
It also highlights the importance of incorporating environmental sustainability measures, such as biodiversity net gain, into planning proposals.
Businesses considering similar expansions may benefit from studying the application’s integration with existing land use and adherence to visual and ecological considerations.