A planning application has been lodged with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for a new glamping site near Ballygalley, outside Larne.
The applicant, Mr John Murray, is seeking to establish a ‘small scale glamping pod campsite development to achieve a unique tourist facility where visitors will enjoy a more rugged open 'back to nature' experience.’ It is envisaged the accommodation will ‘appeal to persons who want the experience of a secluded site with basic facilities and have an interest in walking, cycling,shooting and general outdoor life’.
Located on land 150m north of Old Glenarm Road, a conceptual statement included with the application states the site, to include four glamping pods, ‘will have minimal impact on the local landscape and rural character’, and will be accessed from the School Hill Road via a new laneway.
The statement continues:
‘As well as enjoying the many tourist attractions that the Glens of Antrim and Causeway Coast offer, it is hoped that the facility will enable visitors to get an appreciation and sense of the natural and
built heritage of the area. With its location, it will be a benefit to the many groups of ramblers which enjoy the hill walking in the surrounding area.
‘The site will be an excellent stay location to visit the numerous attractions around the North coast, Glens of Antrim and beyond
There is an excellent views from the site over the Irish Sea and onwards to Scotland. No critical viewpoints will exist due to vegetation, supplementary planting and the natural topography of the site.’
The application for Ballygalley is the fourth application in recent months for glamping accommodation in County Antrim. Previous applications include site proposals for Kells, Carnlough, and Randalstown.