Wexford County Council approved planning permission for a glamping site in Kilann, Enniscorthy, following a decision by the planning department on January 8. 

The project, led by Nicky and Emma Carr on behalf of Blackstairs Glamping Limited, will include three glamping pods, two of which will have two bedrooms and one with a single bedroom. Each pod will feature an outdoor hot tub and picnic benches, adding to the site’s amenities.

The project aligns with the Wexford County Development Plan 2022–2028, which encourages such developments in rural areas provided they do not negatively affect the local environment or the rural character of the region.

The development also includes plans for a utility building and on-site parking facilities, catering to the needs of guests. 

Documents submitted to Wexford County Council outlined that the glamping site is expected to operate seasonally, with higher occupancy rates projected during the summer months. Specifically, the site anticipates an 80% occupancy rate between April and August, while occupancy during the rest of the year is estimated at 30–40%. 

Wexford County Council evaluated the proposal against its development plan guidelines, determining that the project satisfied the necessary criteria. The council emphasized the importance of maintaining the rural environment and noted that the proposed site would blend with its surroundings without causing significant disruption.

The approved plans include conditions to ensure minimal environmental and community impact. Noise levels from the development must adhere to specified limits, with maximum thresholds set for both daytime and nighttime hours. 

“Noise emanating from the development shall not cause to be measured outside of any dwelling in the area, during the hours of 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. a noise level of 55 dB(A), and during the hours of 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. on Sundays and Bank Holidays a noise level of 42 dB(A),” the planning document stated, as reported by Irish Independent.

The proposed glamping pods highlight the importance of maintaining minimal environmental impact while adhering to the Wexford County Development Plan 2022–2028. By aligning proposals with the county’s development framework and meeting local expectations, glamping owners and developers can create projects that not only support sustainable tourism but also facilitate smoother approval processes and community acceptance.