Greenisland glamping pod and tepee plan to allow ‘visitors to engage with farm’

The proposal is for two glamping pods and a tepee tent on a site at Old Carrick Road.

A design and access statement provided to council planners says the proposal is an “agri-tourism scheme that will help the farm diversify into eco-tourism; allowing visitors to engage with the farm to diversify the landscape”.

“The proposal will enable visitors to the site to participate in the running of the farm, learning new skills and having the availability of having a small stay on the farm to truly immerse in the experience,” the statement said.

The farm business has been “active and established for more than six years”, the statement said.

The proposed buildings would be reached off an existing farm yard with access onto the Old Carrick Road. They are intended to be “small scale and to blend with the landscape”, it was noted.

The report states: “The design of the proposal is simplistic. The small cabins are situated within the landscape and designed to emulate a small farm outbuilding.

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The reception/class space is a small teepee that is simplistic in form and is coloured to blend with the natural landscape.

“The proposal utilises part of the existing farm yard for parking and turning, minimising the need for extensive hard landscaping. Small paths will lead from this area to the accommodation cabins whilst also leading to the extensive farm grounds.

“The proposal has been sited to nestle into the surrounding areas, ensuring that it is not a prominent feature in the landscape.”

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter