Chris Stroud and his wife have received permission to operate a glamping pod as holiday accommodation at Beech Cottage, located south of The Narth village in Wales.
The timber pod, which measures nine meters in length, 2.3 meters in width, and 2.5 meters in height, is finished with timber shingles and features matte black window and door frames.
It has been situated in the garden since February 2023, initially used by the couple for private residential purposes while they restored their cottage.
According to a report by South Wales Argus, he property falls within Cadw’s registered Lower Wye Valley historical landscape area and the Wye Valley National Landscape Area of Outstanding Beauty.
The application, submitted in November 2023, was considered part retrospective, as the structure was already in place but had not yet been used for holiday stays.
Concerns were raised by one neighbor, who objected to the plans, disputing the right of vehicular access via a bridleway and expressing concerns about potential damage from increased vehicle movements.
The neighbor also questioned the economic benefit to the area, noting a lack of nearby facilities, and raised issues related to light pollution. They contested the pod’s classification as “off grid,” pointing out that it is connected to mains electricity and water, with plans including a treatment plant.
In response, Mr. Stroud stated there would be no external lights on the pod and that the bridleway had been resurfaced using natural materials. He further noted that Beech Cottage holds a “prescribed right of way” that also provides access to adjacent woods.
The planning application received six letters of support. One supporter described the pod as “unique” and “a delightful addition to its natural setting.”
Another highlighted improvements to the bridleway and suggested the pod would “attract visitors likely to spend money in local shops, pubs, and restaurants, such as The Lion in Trellech, which is within walking distance through the woods.”
Planning officer David Wong, from Monmouthshire County Council, recommended approval of the application.
He noted that neither Cadw nor the Wye Valley National Landscape raised objections regarding visual impact, citing the “significant distance” between the pod and neighboring properties.
Wong also addressed a request from Trellech United Community Council to restrict parking along the access track, stating that such a condition could not be enforced as the track lies outside the application site.
However, he noted that a designated parking area had been provided and anticipated minimal traffic movements.
For business owners in the outdoor hospitality sector, this approval highlights how small-scale glamping developments, even within sensitive landscapes, can gain support when carefully managed.
Addressing environmental concerns, demonstrating economic benefits to local communities, and ensuring appropriate infrastructure can be key factors in securing planning consent.