Plans for a new glamping site on the border of Crompton have been approved on greenbelt land on the grounds that it will provide a boost to tourism.
An application to transform a plot of land on Ellenrod Farm on Bentgate Road, Newhey, into a glamping site was submitted in August last year.
The plans drawn up by architectural design consultants, Naylor Sale and Widdows LLP, outline the six timber pods sitting around a picturesque reservoir/fishing pond.
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The glamping pods will also be comprised of a bedroom, kitchen/living area and bathroom as well as decking areas to make way for outdoor seating, barbeques and hot tubs.
They have similar internal layouts with the same facilities but some have different entrance points, to "exploit the track of the sun".
A statement submitted by the company revealed the applicants own a "considerable amount of land" in the vicinity, which is open for grazing horses, a fishing pond and other recreational uses, such as a clap shooting club.
It is bound by grassland and the river Beal and sits near a housing development.
The architects said the plans include improving a farm track to allow cars to pass access a refuse collection point and pass through a new, electric gate.
The track will lead to a dedicated car park to the cabins, for up to six cars, which will also be secured with electric security gates.
The applicants admit that the works would create "some disturbance" to the nearby homes, however, they said the cabins won't be visible from the houses and once the site is complete, will pose little disturbance given the low volume of traffic and lighting proposed.
While it was recognised that the site concerns greenbelt land, the applicants stated the number of cabins has been kept "relatively low" to reduce their impact on the landscape.
The applicants hope the glamping business will provide a boost to the local area and tourism, attracting walkers and visitors who wish to explore the Newhey area and its rich history.
A major attraction to the area is the Ellenroad Steam Museum, which raises steam on the first Sunday of every month, and it is hoped visitors will also make use of other local amenities such as pubs, restaurants and shops.
Meanwhile, the site provides an additional two new jobs.
In its concluding statement, Naylor Sale and Widdows LLP said: "The development is low in numbers but will provide a destination and facility in the area that is missing, it has the potential to benefit the local economy, create new employment, and enhance the site by creating a new farm track and fencing.
"The development will have little impact on the openness of the green belt."
A technological appraisal conducted by Haslam Ecology further found while the site is "mosaic" with grassland, there would be a "negligible impact" on the nature conservation of the land with the development.
A planning officer for Oldham Council found that the glamping pods present "inappropriate development" to the green belt, however, it was found the harm would be "isolated to a short range".
Nearby homes also wouldn't be affected, given the vantage points of a retaining wall and banking acting "as a screen", and the officer said the pods are "small in height and footprint" and "very typical in rural areas".
The officer agreed that the potential tourism benefits would also outweigh any harm.
As a result, Oldham Council approved the plan on August 27 this year.
Got a story? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk
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