Plans submitted for new glamping site in Windsor Green, near Bury St Edmunds

Plans have been submitted for four glamping pods in the Suffolk countryside, offering a ‘relaxing and sustainable’ stay in nature if approved.

The application has been put forward by Glampitect Ltd, on behalf of applicant Mr Cushing, for The Abbey Meadow — a new rural accommodation in Windsor Green, south east of Bury St Edmunds.

Along with the pods, the development includes installing outside decking areas, mown-grass footpaths, new pedestrian and vehicular entrances, permeable grass-grid track, parking and turning areas, a storage hut, secure bicycle storage and recycling/refuse storage.

The project aims to expand the current tourism business at The Abbey Cottage which is used as tourist accommodation offering guests a countryside retreat for short breaks and weekend stays.

If approved, the site would be operational all year-round, providing guests with a rural escape in every season.

A design and access statement said: “The Abbey Meadow will provide a new and exciting accommodation option for Bury St Edmunds and the surrounding area, offering a unique relaxing and sustainable stay in nature.

“Demand for this type of rural accommodation is high throughout the country, which has also been shown to be true of other glamping sites within this part of England.

“The development will increase footfall for local businesses and, through correct marketing, should increase the length of time tourists remain in the local area.

“This will be beneficial to the local economy including tourist attractions, restaurants, other businesses and local services.

“The applicant intends to build relationships with local businesses in the area to offer their goods and services to guests, including taxi services, shops, cafés and restaurants to name but a few.”

Access to the glamping site would be via an unnamed road off the A1141 with a proposed new entrance to the northwest of the property.

However, some objections have been raised over concerns about increased use of the single-track lane and potential noise issues from guests.

An objection said: “The Airbnb (Abbey Cottage) at the end of the unmarked lane, run by this company, has already caused some minor disruption to the local environment, with occasional noisy guests in residence.”

Another objection said: “I live opposite the proposed site of the glamping pods and I am already hugely impacted by the noise from the holiday rental of Abbey Cottage.

“Loud parties, screaming kids, dogs out of control. Adding to this would make my life here unbearable.”

The plans show that traffic will be managed with no more than nine vehicles on site at once.

Additionally, the proposal includes landscaping to improve biodiversity, including planting native trees, hedgerows and enhanced grassland with wildflowers.

Babergh District Council is set to review the plans on Friday, November 15.