A planning application for the development of eight glamping pods at Elm Tree Farm in Mark, Somerset has been submitted to Somerset Council, offering insight into ongoing trends in rural diversification and the continued growth of the UK glamping sector.
The application, submitted by farm owner Sharon Ward, proposes the installation of the pods in a field off Southfield Road.
According to a report by Burham and Highbridge Weekly News, the site currently includes 30 parking spaces, which the applicant intends to utilize to accommodate guests.
If approved, this project would introduce a second glamping operation in the village, following the existing Laurel Farm Glamping, which has established a presence as a holiday accommodation provider.
Documents submitted with the application note that the site lies within Flood Zone Three and is subject to tidal flood risk from the Bristol Channel. While this classification could raise concerns, the proposal outlines a number of flood mitigation strategies.
These include elevating the pods by one metre above ground level and implementing a formal flood warning and evacuation plan after development. Additionally, surface water management would be handled via soakaway crates to control runoff.
The application reflects broader industry movements where landowners and rural businesses are increasingly leveraging unused or agricultural land to tap into the growing glamping market.
For operators and developers, it highlights the importance of navigating environmental risk factors and integrating mitigation measures into their business planning.
In this case, the applicant has addressed the vulnerability of the site with specific flood-proofing adaptations, which could serve as a model for others developing sites in high-risk zones.
“More vulnerable uses such as holiday accommodation are permitted subject to mitigation measures,” the planning documents state. “Raising the glamping pods will ensure the development is resilient to flood risk.”
The proposal arrives against the backdrop of a previously rejected application involving adjacent land, where plans to raise the ground level for orchard creation were denied due to a lack of supporting evidence.
While this earlier application drew criticism from local residents, the current glamping proposal may face a different reception, particularly given the structured approach to site management and infrastructure planning.
Somerset Council is currently reviewing the proposal and is accepting public comments prior to making a final decision.