Derbyshire Dales District Council has rejected plans to expand a Derbyshire campsite with four glamping pods, citing concerns over noise, landscape impact, and residential amenity.
The proposal, submitted by a local farming family operating the Racecourse Retreat campsite near Wirksworth, aimed to diversify income through rural tourism. However, council planning officers and elected members concluded the site’s elevated location, overlooking nearby homes, made it unsuitable for additional development, despite its status as a lawful camping site.
The application followed a previously rejected bid in 2022 for six pods on the same land. This revised plan proposed partially embedding two pods into the hillside and recessing the other two to minimise visibility. Supporting statements highlighted benefits such as mental health tourism, bike hire facilities, and contributions to the local economy through increased footfall. The applicants also noted the availability of on-demand transport services to mitigate concerns over the site’s rural location.
Despite these measures, councillors expressed unease about potential noise from outdoor activities like BBQs and hot tub use, light pollution, and the visual intrusion on the natural landscape. Several local residents objected on similar grounds, with one describing the scheme as an expansion of caravan operations incompatible with the area’s tranquil character.
While councillors acknowledged the wider pressures on farming and the need for diversification, they ultimately found the application lacked sufficient detail and presented enforcement challenges. There were also broader concerns about the cumulative effect of tourism-related developments across the countryside.
The council encouraged the applicant to return with a more robust and context-sensitive business case.
