Three glamping pods at Land At Conrig Place Crawick Sanquhar

What was proposed

The application sought three glamping pods, ancillary huts, decking, access changes, drainage, parking, landscaping and associated works.

“The proposal is for the siting of 3 glamping pods with associated decking, 1 reception hut, 1 storage hut, 1 bicycle store, alterations to existing access, installation of shared septic tank and soakaway and formation of access road, parking areas, landscaping and associated works. The pods are of typical construction for this type of structure with double doors to the front elevation and a small window to the rear for the bathroom with a timber finish.”

“The dimensions for the proposals are as follows: • 2 standard glamping pods - 8m x 3.6m x 3.04m • Accessible glamping pod - 9m x 4.2m x 3.04m. • Reception - 6m x 3m x 2.7m. • Storage hut - 6m x 3m x 2.7m • Proposed bike store is finished in the same materials and is 3m x 2m x 2.1m. There are two car parking spaces proposed for Electric Vehicles, 2 standard car parking spaces and 1 accessible car parking space. There is also a bike shed proposed within the site.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The vacant former mill site lies near houses at North Crawick, beside Crawick Water, within a residential area and partly affected by flood risk.

“The application site is located at North Crawick, a site approximately 1.6km north of Sanquhar by road and is accessed from the U462N road to the south-east. Crawick Water is located to the north of the site and the site lies some 270m to the north-east of the Nith Valley Railway Line Viaduct.”

“The site forms part of the Crawick North Small Building Group and is the site of a historic mill which all associated development has now been cleared and is left undeveloped. Site constraints include that there is an Area of archaeological interest Crawick Mill MDG29452/MDG22157 and an Archaeology record- Crawick Mill MDG29452. The site is within a BGS Coal resource areas (surface coal resources) and a Coal Authority Development high risk area.”

Officer report

Earlier planning decisions

An identical glamping proposal was refused in 2024 because it conflicted with the area’s character, amenity and residential land use.

“23/2210/FUL – Siting of 3 glamping pods with associated decking, 1 reception hut, 1 storage hut, 1 bicycle store, alterations to existing access, installation of shared septic tank and soakaway and formation of access road, parking areas, landscaping and associated works – Refused under delegated powers 11/12/24 for the following reason:-”

“PUBLIC PUBLIC “The proposed development is contrary to Dumfries and Galloway Council Local Development Plan 2 Policy OP1a) and National Planning Framework 4 Policy 30 b) as it is not compatible with the character and amenity of the Crawick North Small Building Group and conflicts with the existing residential land use here due to the nature of the tourism activity proposed.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Roads, archaeology, SEPA, Scottish Water and the Coal Authority raised no objections, subject to stated conditions where applicable.

“Council Roads Team – No objections subject to conditions.”

“Council Archaeologist – No objections subject to conditions.”

Officer report

What people said

Two objections cited disturbance, noise, drainage, traffic and existing holiday accommodation, while eight supporters cited tourism, employment and local benefits.

“The grounds of objection received can be summarised as follows:- a) A business development in a residential development will intrude and disrupt the peace and privacy of the current residents. b) Increase in noise in evenings and night time. c) Concern about shower and toilet blocks on an outdated drainage system. d) Noise emitted from EV charging stations for residents and wildlife.”

“The grounds of support received can be summarised as follows:- a) Increase visitor accommodation options. b) Increase tourist numbers to promote locate heritage. c) Promote ecofriendly tourism. d) Support local employment and services. e) Encourage active travel (bike storage on site). f) Enhance community resilience. g) Increase tourist footfall. h) Opportunity for collaboration with local business and enterprises. i) Provision of facilities for disabled tourist.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard from the applicants.

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the application, finding it compatible with tourism policy because of its contribution to the local economy and overriding other concerns.

“APPROVED application 25/2099/FUL on the grounds that this proposal would be compatible with National Planning Framework 4 Policy 30 b(i) given the contribution made to the local economy which is given considerable weight in determining this application and overrode other concerns expressed under Local Development Plan 2 Policy OP1 a) subject to the following conditions:”

Minutes

Conditions of permission

Permission included conditions covering planting, building finishes, archaeology, lighting, parking, access visibility, flood levels and holiday-only use.

“PUBLIC PUBLIC scheme detailing new tree and shrub planting has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Council as planning authority. The scheme shall include all grassed areas, hedges, retained trees and other retained vegetation and details of changes to existing levels.”

“That the glamping pods hereby granted planning permission shall not be brought into use unless and until visibility areas have been provided on both sides of the access between the public carriageway edge and the line joining two points defined as follows:- (a) measured 2.4 metres back along the centre line of the access from the nearer edge of the main carriageway; and (b) measured 70 metres from the centre line of the access along the nearer edge of the carriageway of…”

Minutes