Permission granted for glamping pods in ‘extremely scenic’ Waterford location

Planning permission has been granted for the construction of a number of glamping pods in an “extremely scenic” part of Co Waterford.

The application, which was submitted by David and Laura Mulcahy, contains plans for five glamping pods at a site at Dysert, Ardmore.

The proposed development will include the construction of a caretaker storage unit and five car parking spaces.

Alterations and improvements to vehicular access, including provision of an electric gate, hard and soft landscaping and all associated works will also be undertaken.

Waterford City and County Council refused planning permission for the development in July of this year.

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However, An Coimisiún Pleanála has now overturned the council’s decision and granted permission for the development to proceed.

Upon making its decision, Waterford City and County Council described the project as a “haphazard, piecemeal and unsustainable form of development in a scenic rural area”.

The council stated it believed the development would “set an undesirable precedent that would be detrimental to the high scenic quality of the area”.

It added that the proposed development would “conflict with and materially and negatively affect the residential and rural amenities and character of the area”.

The council also received a number of submissions in relation to the planning application.

The development’s potential impact on the scenery of the area, as well as the wildlife, were among the primary concerns of local residents.

Locals also worried that the pods would draw visitors away from Ardmore and argued that there is already sufficient tourist accommodation in the village.

In outlining its decision, An Coimisiún Pleanála said it was satisfied that the proposed development “would broaden visitor accommodation options within the area”.

It argued that the plans would accord with and contribute positively to the tourism objectives outlined in the Waterford City and County Development Plan.

The commission also noted that while the proposed development is located outside of an established settlement, the site has the capacity to accommodate the scale of development without giving rise to undue visual, residential, traffic or environmental impacts.

The proposed development would, therefore, be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

For those reasons, An Coimisiún Pleanála granted permission for the development on November 17, with a total of 14 conditions attached.