A proposal for a small-scale glamping development near Gravesend is currently under review, with a decision expected by July 31.
The project, submitted by Harwinder Binning, seeks permission to install seven glamping pods and retreats, four timber Finman Retreat cabins each with a private sauna and cold plunge, as well as associated amenities including parking, cycle storage, refuse areas, and landscaping at East Court Farm in Chalk, Kent.
According to the design and access statement submitted with the application, the development is intended to provide “subtle and discreet countryside” accommodations for short breaks and weekend stays throughout the year.
The scheme is described as a response to the increasing demand for high-quality glamping experiences in the UK. “The concept of luxury glamping is now gaining popularity throughout the UK, with standards and guests’ expectations on the rise,” the document states.
“It is intended that this site will be amongst the best available in the area and will provide an exciting new alternative, offering guests a secluded retreat in nature and high-quality, modern glamping accommodation.”
If approved, three glamping pods would be positioned around meadow grass and wildflowers with external decking, while the four Finman Retreat cabins would be built in woodland clearings and scrubland.
The developers state that glamping installations require minimal groundwork and low-impact construction practices, which they argue makes the site suitable for this kind of development. Marketing would be aimed at couples and small families seeking a quiet rural experience, according to the application.
Despite these intentions, the proposal has drawn local opposition. At the time of writing, five objections had been submitted. Christoph Bull, a local historian, voiced concern over the location.
“I do not have a problem with glamping pods, but I do not think this is the right place,” he told KentOnline.
“The main reason I am against it, it is making a hole in the edge of the green belt. If Chalk falls, the green belt will fall with it.” He emphasized the need to protect the area, saying, “It is a really important line in the sand beyond which it would be disastrous to develop.”
Local resident James Turner expressed similar concerns. “It will be encroaching on the land. I think practically the whole of Chalk has been concreted on and built on,” he said.
“There is hardly anything left untouched down there anymore. Developers are just eating away at the land all the time.”
Additional objections cite worries over increased traffic on Chalk Lane and Lower Higham Road, with critics describing the roads as narrow and unsafe for higher volumes of motorists.
In contrast, the applicant has argued that the 9,150 sq m site would be “perfectly suited for visitors” and that the project would generate “significant economic benefits” while respecting the natural setting.
“It is reasonable to suggest that the proposed glamping accommodation is warranted in this location, to cater for increasing visitor demand, without sacrificing the area’s beauty, ecology or heritage assets,” the planning statement concludes.
For outdoor hospitality business owners, this proposal underscores the growing interest in developing small-scale, nature-integrated accommodations that appeal to evolving consumer preferences.
However, it also highlights the importance of navigating local land use policy, especially when proposals intersect with green belt protections or sensitive rural environments.