Orkney Islands councillors have approved plans for new glamping pods in Finstown after revisiting the application, which had previously been rejected over flood risk concerns.
The proposal, brought forward by applicant Calum Kirkness, relates to a site near 6 Seafield currently used as a builder’s yard. The plans had initially been refused after the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) raised concerns about the potential for flooding in the area.
Kirkness submitted a detailed response to the refusal, urging the council to reconsider. He argued that there are “growing concerns” among Orkney residents that the council’s planning department is “finding reasons to refuse” projects, which he suggested may discourage investment in the islands.
During a planning committee meeting held this morning, councillors compared the application to a previous decision made in June, when the committee granted permission for 15 flats at Great Western Road in Kirkwall despite similar objections from Sepa.
Councillor Lindsay Hall questioned whether rejecting the glamping pod proposal would conflict with that earlier approval, saying it could risk the committee being “not consistent.”
Committee chair Councillor Owen Tierney, who said he has lived his entire life overlooking the proposed site, expressed support for the project.
“The site has never been overtopped by the sea,” he told The Press & Journal, adding that he believed the economic benefits outweighed the risks. Councillors also discussed how raising the site level as part of the development could help mitigate potential flooding.
Councillor Leslie Manson described the project as a positive step for Finstown, calling the pods a “boon to the community.” After weighing the arguments, councillors agreed that the application could proceed.
For business owners in the outdoor hospitality industry, the decision highlights the role of local government in balancing environmental concerns with opportunities for rural economic growth.
Glamping has become a growing segment of the tourism market, and projects like this illustrate both the potential demand and the regulatory challenges operators may face, particularly regarding site selection and environmental risk assessments.