Plans for a glamping site in Port Erin are being drawn up by the local authority.

The authority has identified 9.5 acres of land off Ballafesson Road which, if permission is granted, it will buy and develop as a glamping and camp site.

The land, currently agricultural, is by the rugby pitch to be developed at the Ballakilley recreational site.

This is the second time the authority has attempted to develop a glamping site in the village. The first bid, on land by Rowany golf course, was refused by planners because of residents’ objections.

Planners said: ’Were there support from local residents, the application may have gone forward with a recommendation to approve. However, the proposal has proved controversial and worrying to people living nearby and, in view also of the recently adopted zoning for the area and the lack of strong material considerations to outweigh the identified concerns [it is refused].’

Support

They referred the proposal to the planning committee and added if the committee approved the plan, they should include conditions relating to planting, opening periods, possibly temporary approval, and returning the land to grass if glamping stops.

Refusing the plan the committee concluded: ’The glamping development proposed would have an unduly harmful impact on the open character and natural appearance of this prominent location.’

The authority lamented that those supporting the plan hadn’t made their voices heard.

A petition supporting the bid - drawn up by James Fennell of Micro Lodges, which hoped to run the site - attracted 550 signatures.

However it was refused again at appeal. The authority has agreed to buy the land at Ballafesson on which the site would be developed provided permission is granted.

Commissioners’ clerk Jason Roberts said the amount agreed to buy the land will be revealed in due course.

The site will inclúde areas for a glamping site, a camp site area, motorhomes, toilet and shower facilities along with a welcome centre.

Commissioners chairman Nick Watterson said: ’The board has identified a site on the outskirts of Port Erin which it feels offers a great location to create a recreational and tourist destination site. A smaller scale site was planned a couple ofyears ago, but this did not proceed. This site has many significant benefits including the ability to offer an area for a variety of traditional camping options as well as a 5-star rated glamping option.’

He added: ’The site offers those staying there the benefits of a country side location yet only a short walk to the various offerings within Port Erin.

The creation of such a site would not only benefit Port Erin but the wider area of the south of the island.’

View the outline plans for the site and submit comments or suggestions at Port Erin Commissioners’ office from 2pm to 8pm on December 6.