Looking to use your land for glamping? You’re in the right place!
Our wilderness structures add a unique and sustainable offering to your glamping site. However, before you set up, you'll need to make sure your site meets all necessary planning requirements in your local area.
To help you navigate the planning process, we’ve put together a checklist covering key factors like land use, site access, environmental regulations, and community considerations. Whether you're setting up a single Tree Tents structure or planning a larger glamping site, this guide will help you get your planning over the line.
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We’ve also got a handy blog post that explains how Exemption Organisations are a great way to bypass lengthy planning processes, for smaller glamping sites. Read more about Exemption Organisations here.
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If you need some support from an expert in Glamping Planning and Ecology, read our blog with Victoria Pettigrew here.
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Tree Tents offers our own Planning Consultancy Packages to suit your budget and help you through the process. Scroll to the bottom of the page to learn more.
1. 🔎 Your Local Planning Authority (LPA)
✅ Find out who your Local Planning Authority is - use the Government Search Page or MAGIC Maps by DEFRA to find this out.
✅ Review your local area's ‘Local Plan’ to understand the feasibility of a Glamping Development
✅ Have you spoken to a local planning officer? This is the most important question and action – every county and every town has different rules, regulations and requirements, so it is best to get friendly with your local planning team to make it a smoother process.
2. 🗺️ Land Use & Planning Requirements
✅ Change of Use: Does the land require a change of use (e.g., from farmland to a rental business)? If yes, a more detailed planning process with the local council is required.
✅ Permitted Development vs. Full Planning: Can the structure be installed under permitted development, or is full planning permission needed?
✅ Temporary vs. Permanent Structure: If temporary, can it be demonstrated (e.g., movable structures)?
3. 🚧 Site Access & Infrastructure
✅ Road & Pathways: Does the site need a new access road, pathway, or gate?
✅ Utilities: Are water, electricity, and gas already available? If off-grid, what’s the plan for utilities?
✅ Water Neutrality Regulations: Check if the local jurisdiction has water neutrality requirements. Water neutrality, in the context of planning, means ensuring that a development does not increase the rate of water abstraction for drinking water supplies above existing levels.
4. 🌲 Environmental & Legal Considerations
✅ Protected Land Status: Is the site within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), National Park, Green Belt, or a conservation area? You can find this out using MAGIC Maps by DEFRA.
✅ Ecology & Wildlife Surveys: Are bat surveys, habitat assessments, or other ecological reports needed? These may only be conducted during specific seasons.
✅ Flood Risk: Evaluate the flood risk zoning of your site according to the Environment Agencies guidelines, using the Government Flood Map here.
5. 🏡 Neighbour & Community Impact
✅ Local Opposition: Are there nearby residents or a community that may object to the structure?
✅ Pre-Application (Pre-App) Process: For larger projects, is a pre-app advisable to engage with the community and planners early? This is a service that provides advice on planning proposals before a formal application is submitted. It's offered by most planning councils.
6. 👷 Operational Considerations
✅ Rental Period: Will the structure be used under the 60-day rule or for year-round rentals?
✅ Site Boundaries & Placement: Is the planned location compliant with border/fence setback rules and height restrictions?
There’s lots to think about - but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming!
We’ve seen it all at Tree Tents, and we’ve been by the side of our clients for years as they’ve navigated the planning process. With the support of experts, we can support you with our Tree Tents Consultancy Package - from mapping your site to pre-app documents, planning docs, plans, and more.
Interested? Get in touch to make the most of our consultancy offering! We're ready to help you make your site a reality.
