Council / Glamping pod in Lerwick given green light despite neighbours’ objections
A GLAMPING pod which drew objections for its closeness to a baby loss memorial garden has been given the green light by council planners.
The pod, which will be based in Lerwick’s Twageos Road, was defended by applicant Kate Wills after four neighbours opposed the plans.
The majority cited its proximity to the Louise Hughson baby memorial garden as a reason for their objections to the glamping pod, which will include a double bed, toilet and kitchen.
Two people from Gressy Loan wrote to the council saying it would be “entirely inappropriate” and “highly disrespectful” to grieving parents and families to build a glamping pod within the vicinity of the memorial garden.
But Shetland Islands Council said it was not considered that the pod would significantly overlook the memorial “to the extent that would warrant refusal” of the plans.
“The proposed pod is designed so as not to have any windows that directly overlook the windows in adjacent residential development and given the small scale of the development, it is not considered that the development will result in a noise nuisance to its surroundings,” it said.
“Given the small scale of the pod and its design, it is considered that it is located far enough away from neighbouring dwellinghouses so to not have a detrimental impact on residential amenity.”
Wills, who said she has lived in the area for 12 years, wrote to the council earlier this year to say she was “horrified that anyone would consider that I would be disrespectful” of the memorial garden.
The garden is found within the extension to the Knab cemetery in Lerwick, and allows those who have experienced the loss of their baby to honour and remember them.
Shetland Sands, which provides local support to grieving parents and families, has previously directed people to the garden if they want to create a memorial for a loved one. It is maintained by Shetland Islands Council.
Wills had said the glamping pod would predominantly be used by her family.
“I will however have to recoup the costs of building the pod and therefore intend to rent it out to appropriate persons whilst I do that,” she added in a submission to the planning service.
Wills said she was “acutely aware of the needs of the area”, and “frequently kept noise to a minimum”.
“The plan for the pod is to provide a tranquil and affordable place for people to relax in when needed – it is therefore perhaps of particular appeal to grieving families who could combine this with a visit to the memorial garden/graveyard.”
Glamping pods have recently been approved for a site near Walls and outside the Westings Inn.
There are already glamping sites in the North and South Mainland, as well as at the Scalloway Caravan Park.
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