Perth and Kinross Council has refused planning permission for a proposed four-pod glamping development near a caravan park outside Comrie, Scotland, citing concerns about road safety, vehicle movements, and the lack of supporting evidence for the tourism proposal.
West Lodge Residential Parks Ltd submitted the application earlier in 2026 for four glamping pods on existing grassland to the west of the caravan park. The proposal also included a new access track, parking spaces, fencing, and other associated works. Each of the proposed pods would have included an external hot tub.
The council’s planning decision focused primarily on the impact the development could have on the A85(T) trunk road, which provides access to the site. According to the council’s refusal report, the additional accommodation would increase the number of vehicles waiting to enter the road and making right-turning movements from the site.
The report states: “The proposal would result in an intensification of vehicles waiting and then making right-turning manoeuvres from the A85(T) trunk road at a location where the existing layout does not meet current design standards, and would ultimately compromise both road safety and the free flow of the traffic on the trunk road.
“The existing vehicular access would be unable to safely accommodate the manoeuvres of refuse/service vehicles and fails to meet the standards required by Transport Scotland.”
According to The Courier, the council also raised concerns about the suitability of the existing access for operational vehicles, including refuse and service vehicles. Transport Scotland’s standards were cited as part of the assessment of the proposed access arrangements.
In addition to transportation issues, the planning authority said the application did not provide sufficient evidence demonstrating how the proposed accommodation would contribute to local tourism objectives.
The refusal report states: “No justification or evidence has been submitted which demonstrates that this proposal would improve the quality of new or existing visitor facilities, allow a new market to be exploited, or extend the tourism season.
“In addition, a business plan has not been submitted for consideration.”
For campground and glamping operators, the decision highlights the importance of addressing transportation requirements and demonstrating the broader tourism value of new accommodation during the planning process.
While adding a small number of units can provide an opportunity to diversify an existing hospitality site, proposals may still require detailed evidence on traffic generation, access, servicing, and the commercial rationale for the development.
The decision also illustrates how planning considerations can extend beyond the accommodation itself. Access roads, parking, service vehicle movements, and connections to major roads can become determining factors when authorities assess whether a proposed expansion can operate safely within an existing site.
The four-pod application was refused by Perth and Kinross Council in August 2026. The decision comes as other tourism-related planning proposals continue to be considered across Perthshire, including a recently reported application involving the potential conversion of a former doctor’s surgery in Blair Atholl into an arts and crafts shop.