**Document:** Rowany Glamping Statement **Application:** 17/00254/B — Change of use of part of field to campsite including installation of 10 'Glamping' pods and a welcome centre including the creation of a new pedestrian access from Spaldrick Promenade **Decision:** Refused **Decision Date:** 2017-05-25 **Parish:** Rushen **Document Type:** report / planning_statement **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/22857-rushen-rowany-golf-club-drive-change-use/documents/1326269 --- # Rowany Glamping Statement ## 17/00254 ### Rowany Glamping Site, Port Erin February 2017 ### Appendix III ### Rowany Glamping Statement ## **Rowany Glamping** *THE MOST LUXURIOUS GLAMPING ON THE ISLE OF MAN* Extract from the **Business Plan** Prepared December 2016 by **Rowany Glamping** ## The Proposed Rowany Glamping Site Facility \& Infrastructure ### The Location Port Erin is an excellent location for the Rowany Glamping site, not only because it provides tourists with a magnificent combination of natural features and good commercial and retail facilities, but also because it has a distinct lack of tourist accommodation, as highlighted in the Isle of Man Hotel Futures report 2016. This has previously prevented the town from being able to capture an even bigger tourist market attracted to being based in Port Erin and exploit, for example, its close proximity to the attractive diving area at Fleshwick Bay, watching the basking sharks and grey seals to be found in the waters around the Calf of Man and, of course, the ability to board the Steam Railway train for Douglas and its onward railway connections to other parts of the island. Port Erin Commissioners have a clear vision for the use of the site, which is within walking distance of 2 glens, various hiking trails and headlands, the beach and local shops and restaurants. The land commands far-reaching views over Port Erin Bay and the South as well as the headlands up to Milner's Tower and it is an exciting prospect to be able to share this view with appreciative visitors to the Island. Central to this business plan is the premise that Rowany Glamping is the best candidate for the tenure of the land. The site is currently an area of grass field, which is zoned for recreational use. If Rowany Glamping is awarded the lease, it will ensure that any development respects the natural habitat and enhances its beauty with the planting of over 40 semi mature trees and screening plants, turning the site into a small woodland to house the glamping pods. The Directors' previous experience in both residential and commercial landscaping will ensure that the landlord, other stakeholders and glampers are all happy with the natural environment and screening. The site offered by Port Erin Commissioners is ideal for Rowany Glamping, not only because of its excellent position in a place of such natural beauty but also from the perspective of tourists' practical needs and operational suitability. It has a large car park and access to all major services. It does not present any form of nuisance to local residences and will not require any special traffic or pedestrian modifications. The space available is enough to house 10 pods. ## The Accommodation The site will include a welcome information centre, which will handle arrivals and departures as well as book local trips and tours in conjunction with other local service providers. On arrival, each party of visitors will receive a welcome pack of local produce to both provide an extra level of service and introduce them to some of the Isle of Man's amazing local foods and drink. The pods will be sited in a green area, landscaped by semi mature native Manx trees, creating a woodland environment, which will offer both privacy and protection from elements while still preserving the amazing views over Port Erin Bay and headlands. Each luxury pod will be accessed from a main pathway through the trees and all will be accessible by wheelchair users. Each pod will have internal cooking facilities and an outdoor fire pit / BBQ. The whole site will enjoy Internet connectivity, with each Pod having individual 4G superfast and WAP2 secured broadband. In summary:- - 10 pods (containing 50 beds) available year round - En-suite shower and flushing toilet facilities in each pod - Full 240v electricity supply and under-floor heating in each pod - Internet 4G connection for each pod to ensure access and security - Mini kitchen facilities to enable the residents in each pod to cook indoors, as well as taking advantage of their own outside seating and BBQ area - Walkways provided by means of a timber boardwalk. - Disability friendly, easy access to each pod by a pathway directly from the car park. Max Distance 50m. Pods designed with wheelchair access and use in mind - Local shops and amenities only 5 minutes walk away - Affordable pricing - Convenient access to the beach and surrounding headlands With a maximum nightly start-up capacity of 50 guests across 10 pods and, on the assumption that once it is an established business, in the 12-week period of high season, the site will operate at full capacity, there is the potential of bringing 600 visitors, assuming that each pod is rented by a 5 person family for a one week stay. The potential spend per capita for Port Erin and Isle of Man economy will be strong regardless of whether the pods are occupied by families or by any of the other potential demographic tourist groups, which the Isle of Man is keen to attract. Rowany Glamping will conform to all of the requirements of relevant government legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Management of Health \& Safety at Work Regulations 2003 (MH\&SW), the Fire Precautions Act 1975 and the Noise Act 2006. It will also have the required and necessary business liability insurances. Rowany Glamping has also considered the Disability Discrimination Act 2006 due to be implemented in four stages, the first coming into force December and will comply with this code of practice. ## The Pods James Fennell Micro Lodges Ltd will be supplying ten pods to Rowany Glamping. Each pod will have the following features: - 6 m in length by 4 m wide - Double skin construction with insulation in both walls and floor - Western Red Cedar cladding - king sized bed, double sofa bed, folding single bed - En-suite bathroom with electric shower, toilet and hand basin - Kitchenette inc. sink, hob, fridge and cupboard - double sockets - Underfloor heating with digital thermostat - Key Card Entry - Decking area to front - Internal and external lighting - Windows and doors double glazed The pods will all be installed and maintained by the experienced team at James Fennell Micro Lodges Ltd. ### The Staff Rowany Glamping will be a fully serviced site, staffed full time by a site manager (Stuart Owens) and one other person during the day and one night staff member. Their duties will include ensuring all aspects of health, safety, fire and noise regulations are adhered to, alongside creating a welcoming environment and cleaning/maintenance duties. Rowany Glamping will ensure that its staff has the necessary competencies and knowledge to fulfill their roles effectively and to represent the Isle of Man tourist industry in a very positive light. The Company will ensure that it adheres to the Employment Act 2000 and all associated Isle of Man human resources legislation. Photograph 1 - Typical Glamping pod with timber shingle roof. The proposed pods will be (high) with a semi circular decking area in front. ![photograph from page 6](https://images.planningportal.im/2017/03/196601.jpg) Photograph 2 - Proposed style of the Welcome Centre with external timber cladding. These photographs are for guidance purposes only and illustrate similar buildings in a landscaped environment. ![photograph from page 6](https://images.planningportal.im/2017/03/196602.jpg) Glamping Pod (View 1) - Typical layout of a 6m x 4m Glamping Pod. The side and roof of pod have been removed to illustrate the internal layout. ![Architectural cutaway rendering of a glamping pod showing interior layout with bedroom, kitchenette, and seating areas, plus external decking and BBQ area.](https://images.planningportal.im/2017/03/196603.jpg) Glamping Pod (View 2) - Showing the front of the Glamping pod with semi-circular timber decking. NOTE: The exact layout of the pods may vary slightly from this illustration ![This image displays an architectural cutaway rendering of a glamping pod, illustrating the interior layout and exterior materials like timber cladding and cedar shingles. Annotations point out specific features includ...](https://images.planningportal.im/2017/03/196604.jpg) Existing shrub to be retained to the side of the melcone centre. Mamped access. ## Melcome Centre ### View 2 - Internal Layout ![An architectural perspective rendering of a proposed timber-framed welcome centre featuring a green sedum roof and canopy entrance.](https://images.planningportal.im/2017/03/196605.jpg) ![Architectural cutaway drawing illustrating the interior layout of a proposed Welcome Centre. The plan shows a reception area, disabled WC, seating area, and site manager's office with dimensions.](https://images.planningportal.im/2017/03/196606.jpg) --- *Data sourced from the Isle of Man public planning register under the [Isle of Man Open Government Licence](https://www.gov.im/about-this-site/open-government-licence/).* *Canonical page: https://planningportal.im/a/22857-rushen-rowany-golf-club-drive-change-use/documents/1326269*