It’s fair to say that your average glamping operator is more environmentally conscious than most businesses. Many have a commitment to sustainable practices and responsible land management while increasing numbers are opting for off-grid energy solutions.
TruDomes
HOW TO AVOID PLANNING DELAYS
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for your glamping start-up
any aspiring glamping businesses in the UK find their dreams frustrated by the seemingly endless wait for planning approval. Thankfully, certain routes are available to bypass the delay. Kelda Bassett, CEO of geodome manufacturer TruDomes, explains. Launching a glamping business is an exciting venture and an attractive way for many farmers and landowners to create a valuable revenue stream, but one of the biggest hurdles is the hassle and delay of obtaining planning approval. Many prospective sites find themselves waiting years before they can get up and running. Fortunately, there are some relatively straightforward ways to avoid planning obstacles. An increasing number of
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landowners are joining an exempted organisation that has the authority to approve sites without the need for planning permission or a licence. Exempted organisations can use their permissions to certify members to run sites under their banner. TruDomes work with a number of these organisations and we know that they welcome applications from glamping sites. It’s fair to say that your average glamping operator is more environmentally conscious than most businesses. Many have a commitment to sustainable practices and responsible land management while increasing numbers are opting for off-grid energy solutions. Those are the kind of green credentials that open the door to exempted organisations like The Woodland Champions Club and The Greener Camping Club which were both founded on an eco-driven ethos.
The Woodland Champions Club formed in 2017 to help landowners create and manage woodland and open them up for members of the public to use. The club has a commitment to plant trees with the help of the woodland trust and site members. The application process typically takes between 28 days and three months, granting members certification to operate year-round sites of up to 10 pitches. Member campsites are permitted to advertise anywhere, which isn’t always the case with exempted organisations. The Greener Camping Club was established in 2015 with the aim of providing a more environmentally-friendly style of camping experience. Their ideal setting for a campsite is a sheltered area of at least one acre in a quiet rural setting, with safe vehicle access and a water supply. They prefer sites lined by trees or hedge banks over open sites that lack
