A former TT course landmark has been demolished and is being replaced by ’glamping’ accommodation and a welcome centre.
The Glen Helen Inn had been closed for several years while owners sought for a new buyer.
The pub has now been demolished and the plans for the site will see 12 glamping pods built along with a welcome centre and venue for smaller celebrations or weddings.
Stuart Owens, director of Glen Helen Glamping Ltd, said: ’We’ve been trying to get this going for a while and now we have the ideal spot.
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’The area really is gorgeous, we really like it and believe it to be the best spot on the island we could have.
Massive
’It isn’t just good for us, we’re using Manx sawmills and local guys are building the pods.’
He added: ’In the UK glamping has become a massive industry so this is something the island needs to be tapping into.’
The owners, Glen Helen Glamping Ltd, plan to arrange 10 of the pods in a circle with two others separate on the other side of the welcome centre.
In the centre of the 10 pods, there is room for a covered gas barbecue area.
The company says that thanks to its careful planning, there will be no need to remove any trees from the area.
The planning application (17/01254/B) says the previous building was not ’sympathetic to its location’. The new plans, by contrast, will be predominantly wood and are detailed as ’designed to be sympathetic to its surroundings in style and materials’.
The company is building two different type of pods.
’Type A’ is a raised pod which has steps going put to it and is rounded, while ’Type B’ pods are built on ground level.
All of the pods feature a bedroom, toilet and shower room, kitchen space and a living area which contains a fold out bed.
The site is due to be fully open for business next year.
For more information, visit www.glenhelenglamping.com