New fixture on the tourism trail after eco pods are given the green light
A tourism business in east Perthshire looks set to record what is understood to be a first for Scotland.
Already popular with holidaymakers in the Lake District, 'chalet/eco pods' are set to become a feature of the landscape at Blacklunans near Glenshee - Camping pods for sale.
The timber structures will offer low-cost but high-quality accommodation and their introduction could be a huge boon to the many outdoor activities enthusiasts who flock to Perthshire each year.
It is anticipated they will be used all year round by a mixture of climbers, walkers, cyclists and skiers together with visitors looking to enjoy the area's landscape and other outdoor activities without breaking the bank - Camping pods for sale.
Members of Perth and Kinross Council's development control committee were told on Wednesday that the move could open the floodgates to a raft of similar developments in the area as landowners and farmers bid to diversify.
Councillors unanimously gave their backing to the development, despite 12 letters of objection claiming the it would be a blot on the landscape and would conflict with nearby farming and shooting operations.
The development is relatively modest in scale, with applicant Simon Calvin telling councillors he was "a school teacher — just a normal guy with 10 acres of land."
However the development could nonetheless have a significant impact upon tourism as it taps directly into the Cateran Trail — a 64-mile circular walking route that networks the area with footpaths.
The trail is becoming increasingly popular with visitors from all over the UK and further afield and it is anticipated most people who occupy the pods will be walkers on the route - Camping pods manufacturer.
Councillors were told that with such a close association to the walking route, there was significantly less chance of people staying within the accommodation, straying into the countryside in an uncontrolled way and creating the potential conflicts with farming or shooting interests suggested by objectors.
The applicant plans to create 10 holiday eco pods, with an associated shower and toilet block, at Lower White House, Blacklunans — not far from the A93 Blairgowrie to Glenshee road. The Chalet pods/pods, described as "very modest structures" measuring about 4m long by 2.5m in height, are constructed from timber and sit on recycled sleepers and will be installed ready-built - Camping pods manufacturer.
Designed to offer a comfortable night's rest — there are no catering facilities within — they will be fully carpeted and heated.
Mr Calvin told elected members the accommodation would meet a gap in the local market, which was experiencing a shortfall in budget accommodation.
He said demand was high in Glenshee, with accommodation providers experiencing year-round occupancy rates of around 60% — higher than many other parts of Perthshire.
The applicant is also confident that once the weather becomes inclement for walkers he will still see a boom, with skiers making use of the pods instead.
And he made a pledge to both councillors and neighbours to maintain a high standards of visitor to the holiday Chalet pods/eco pods.
