However, site owners Danny and Jane Barnes recently returned to the Development & Planning Authority with an application to change that.
An open planning meeting was held to discuss the applicants’ request to keep their safari tents on the site year-round for the next two years, rather than having to take them down during the winter like other campsites.
Pictured: One of the glamping safari tents (image from guernseyglamping.com).
But it didn’t go undisputed, with neighbour Gloria Dudley-Owen asking for clarification as to why Camp de Reves Glamping would be treated any differently to other local campsites. She claimed she had heard “concern from many neighbours” and expressed particular worry about any extra traffic the site may bring through the small lanes in the area.
“This point about the traffic is so prevalent,” she added, noting that some cars had caused damage to the lanes.
Similar concerns were raised when plans for the glamping site were first published two years ago, with some neighbours writing to the D&PA to say the lanes were too narrow, unsuitable for heavy traffic and often used by pedestrians. However, after reviewing the site plans, Traffic & Highway Services said it was satisfied.
Ms Dudley-Owen also suggested that, following the approval of this application, the applicants might go on to ask for an extension at a later date. However, President of the D&PA, Deputy Dawn Tindall, explained how that would be a separate decision for another day and was not relevant to the open planning meeting.
“For me, the main issue here is whether or not the view is affected,” said Deputy Tindall in her summing up. “This is a view across a wide area and it needs to be considered.”
D&PA member, Deputy Lester Queripel added: “This would be an experiment of two winters to determine the visual impact. How are we going to know what the impact is unless we do an experiment?”
The plans were approved unanimously by the committee.
When that approval comes to an end, on 31 October 2022, the tents will need to be taken down, unless the site owners return with another application for approval.
Pictured top: One of the glamping safari tents (image from guernseyglamping.com).