The construction of a new glamping site in the island is well under way with the owner expecting it to open soon.

Built at the former Glen Helen Hotel site, Glen Helen Glamping is a venture led by Stuart Owens.

The tourist accommodation is currently under construction with the finishing touches being made to the cafe and welcome centre and the glamping pods due to go in later this week.

During the construction, workers uncovered a former boating lake under the foundations. Mr Owens said photos of the lake in usage during the 1930s had been circulating online.

Mr Owens said: ’All the services are in, including the utilities and the pods are due to go in this week.

’We actually reduced the number of pods from 12 to 10 to give it a more open feel.

’We hope to be open at the end of April. We’ve had a lot of interest from tourists and for weddings, but we just need the tourism department to sign off on us taking bookings.’

The pods being installed were cut and built in the island.

They will be able to house a family of five or four adults and in the centre of them will be a covered barbecue area.

Looking forward, Mr Owens told the Examiner that plans are well underway for the TT fortnight and he hopes to be able to bring spectators back to what he believes is one of the course’s best spots.

Mr Owens said: ’Last year there were no facilities so people couldn’t even get as much as a hot drink. It was pretty quiet, which is a shame.

’But we hope to have the cafe up and running and a service hatch to be able to serve sausage baps and teas/coffees - that sort of thing.’

The glamping site will be open all year round as improvements made to the draining in the area should reduce flooding.

Mr Owens added that he is hopeful that the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture is going to improve the lighting in the glen behind the site.

He said this would improve the year-round capabilities of the whole area as well as the glamping site.

For more information, search Glen Helen Glamping on Facebook or email [email protected].