Luxury Glamping Site Greenlit on Ards Peninsula Amid Local Dispute

A New Luxury Glamping Site

A new glamping site on the Ards Peninsula has been approved despite objections from locals. Elected representatives at the Ards and North Down Council Planning Committee for June have approved an application by Richard McGrady for a new glamping site comprising seven glamping pods, parking, open space, and associated landscaping. The site is on land 100 meters south of 29E Carrowdore Road, Greyabbey, County Down.

Introducing Glamping

Glamping, short for 'glamorous camping', is a form of camping that involves comfort and luxury over the traditional 'tent and dixie tin' experience. It involves staying in structures like pods and yurts, often with amenities like beds, electricity, and Wi-Fi.

Council Decision

A vote on the application at the council’s Planning Committee, held at Church Street, Newtownards, saw splits within the DUP and the Greens. Eight elected representatives were in favor of the application, from Alliance, the DUP, the UUP, and the Greens, while two were against, from the DUP, and two abstained, from the DUP and the Greens. The application subsequently was passed. The application faced seven letters of objection from locals, but no objections from the statutory consultees.

Planning Approval

Council officials recommended that elected representatives grant planning permission on the application. The officer planning report states: “It is considered that in principle there would be positive benefits to the wider Greyabbey area in terms of tourism, enhancing its offer.”