Horsham glamping site to stay
It was originally only supposed to be temporary
The owners of a glamping site set up in Shipley last summer have been given permission to keep it there permanently.
The site, at Nightingale Farm, Sincox Lane, was originally opened under permitted development rights but an application was submitted to Horsham District Council to permanently change the use of the 0.5 hectare patch of land.
After a lengthy discussion during which questions were asked about noise, waste water and the management of the site, members of the planning committee gave their approval.
They did make a change to the officers’ recommendation, though.
The application has one month rather than three to provide details about how waste management, sewerage and water disposal will be dealt with.
The site will be for a maximum of eight pitches rather than the original 15, and conditions have been put in place by the planning team to make sure noise is kept to a minimum after 10pm.
Noise was one of the concerns raised by several objectors, both in writing and during the meeting.
While officers said they were aware of no complaints over the summer, one neighbour pointed out that none had been made as it was assumed the site would only be temporary.
He said: “Last year we suffered significant noise levels well into the early hours.”
As well as the objections, the council received 26 letters of support – though 11 of those were from people outside the district.
The letters described an ‘eco-friendly site that cares for the environment and its surroundings’, with ‘respectful site owners and visitors’.