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Glamping

With Brexit looming, many farmers and landowners looking to diversify and invest their time in something other than growing food crops or stocking their land.  In the glorious counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire there are many other options, such as using a small waterside field or unproductive corner or hill on the farm for something else – how about glamping?

Whether it is a Serengeti-style safari tent or a shepherds hut, glamping is a great way to create a new revenue stream for your business, but you do need planning permission before you pitch your tents – specifically GN 13-17 Glamping Structures and Planning (England). This policy applies to all planning applications where either a semi-permanent or permanent glamping structure.

Glamping has the potential to boost the local economy through leisure activities and tourism and many local authorities are supportive, but you will have more hoops to jump through if you are situated in the Green Belt, are in an AONB or SSSI.

Remember to do your research first  – considering any new business venture can be daunting but make sure you have thought about and researched other local glamping sites to you, find a point of difference – ie what is different about what you want to do, is there customer demand, can visitors get to you easily enough and can you spare the time out of your farming operation to look after guests.

Get in contact with your local Tourism Office to see what Festivals, events etc are held locally as you could be onto a winner if your site is advertised around the dates of these events.

Also know your competition – that way you can set a price point based on what you want to offer as compared to a regular camp site, static homes, log cabins, shepherds hut.

In the meantime, head over to The Glamping Show at the NAC, Stoneleigh Park from 19 – 21 September for more inspiration.

If you would like to look at an application for planning, give Liza at G Herbert Banks a call on 01299 896968 liza@gherbertbanks.co.uk

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