Seven glamping pods at East Court Farm, Church Lane, Gravesend

“SUMMARY REPORT Application Ref: 20250558 Site Address: East Court Farm Church Lane Gravesend Kent Application Description: Installation of 7 no. glamping pods/retreats and 4 no. barrel saunas with cold plunge for overnight guest use, external decking areas, permeable footpaths and vehicular track, parking and turning area, secure cycle storage and recycling/refuse storage, 2 no. private package treatment plants, landscaping and associated works.”

“The application site lies on the eastern side of Church Lane. The southern part of the site comprises an area containing storage containers and a stable building. The remainder of the site remains undeveloped. The extent of the application site can be seen in the following extract from the submitted site location plan:”

“The site is located within the rural area and the Metropolitan Green Belt. It is also located in proximity to East Court Farmhouse, which is a Grade II listed building.”

“There is extensive planning history on the site, but none relating to the proposed glamping use.”

“Green Belt and Openness Encroachment - The proposal involves development in the Green Belt. We It constitutes "inappropriate development" and harms the "openness".”

“Construction Amenity – Will add to local disruption and cause noise, pollution, traffic…”

“Factors that were considered a benefit of the proposal were tourism, employment, gain to the rural economy were afforded significant weight. • If the proposed glamping site were to cease operation, there was a legal requirement under a planning condition, that the site was restored. The applicant would have to submit a restoration scheme to the Planning authority at that time. • Planning permission is attached to land and not the owners.”

“The land currently has a mix of uses including a storage area to the south, grazing land, with some scrub land. • Employment created by the site would include initial construction and the subsequent management and staffing of the site. • The glamping pods would be constructed away from site but with hard standings constructed on site. • Glamping pods would be buffered by trees and planting under a landscaping condition.”

“Following further discussion, the Planning Committee felt a site inspection would be useful before determining the application.”

“RESOLVED that the application be DEFERRED to allow Members to undertake a Site Inspection.”