A planning application has been submitted to Waterford City and County Council for the proposed development of a small-scale glamping site in Ardmore, County Waterford.
The application, filed this week, outlines plans to construct five timber-framed glamping pods on a 0.9-acre plot of agricultural land located in the Dysert area.
The proposed site is a narrow, rectangular parcel situated adjacent to St. Declan’s Walk and near the coastline to the east.
According to the application documents, the development would include car parking for up to five vehicles and designated bicycle parking, both located along the western boundary of the site.
A 13-square-meter caretaker storage unit is also proposed for the north-west boundary, according to a report by Waterford News & Star.
The development seeks to integrate sustainable tourism with environmental stewardship. A design report submitted on behalf of the applicants notes the dual intention to bolster tourism and restore the land’s natural biodiversity.
“Our client’s wish to set up a business that will support tourism in the area and improve biodiversity on the site, returning the majority of the site to its original and ideal habitat,” the report states.
It also adds, “Our client’s aim is to model the highest standards in sustainable tourism, both in the manner of construction, energy efficiency, and creation of habitat for biodiversity.”
Each glamping unit will feature a double bedroom, a shower room, and a compact kitchen/living/dining space, which can also function as a second sleeping area using a sofa bed.
The pods will be constructed on four steel footings, which the planning application describes as having “minimum impact on the site.”
Due to prevailing winds from the west, the pods are designed in a staggered arrangement to provide sheltered outdoor living spaces at the gable end of each unit.
A local site manager is expected to be employed to oversee operations, contributing to local employment opportunities.
The application is currently under review, with a decision from Waterford City and County Council anticipated by July 8.
For business owners in the outdoor hospitality sector, this proposed project reflects a growing trend toward low-impact, eco-friendly accommodations in scenic, rural areas.
As demand for nature-based experiences rises, integrating biodiversity goals with hospitality offerings could provide long-term value both for operators and the surrounding environment.