Planning permission granted for Mayo farm glamping site

Planning permission has been granted to an organic farmer near Louisburgh to develop a glamping site on her farm which will see old farm buildings renovated.

Mayo County Council granted planning permission to Danielle Gallagher to install six glamping pods on her family farm at Dadreen, Killadoon, Louisburgh which is located 1km from Silver Strand beach.

The development to be known as 'By the Way Farm and Glamping' will also consist of the conversion of an existing sheep barn into a reception building to include toilet, office, common room, kitchen/dining and the renovation of an existing stone building to include shower room, games room and storage.

The proposed glamping pod enterprise is to be run in conjunction with Ms Gallagher's farm business and in her planning application she stated that the development will boost tourism in the area.

“Being an organic farmer from the west of Ireland it is very important to me to try and incorporate my everyday life and the land I live off with the glamping site and to keep the enterprise as natural as possible having as little an impact on the natural beauty already in existence.

“I believe the business will boost tourism for the area and will tie in with the existing businesses already operating in the locality providing much needed accommodation in an area with little to no amenities at present,” she stated.

Ms Gallagher also commented that the area is 'heaving with natural beauty' with Mweelrea Mountain in the immediate backdrop and the Silver Strand less than 1km away.

“The site includes a river running through the property which adds to the ambience of being a peaceful area for tourists to relax and unwind. Including this scene with an organic diverse working farm has the potential to be a successful enterprise along the Wild Atlantic Way, keeping tourism alive in the west of Ireland,” she added.

An environmental report by Mayo County Council scientists following an inspection of the site in August 2024 expressed concerns about the site given the 'poor ground conditions' at the proposed percolation area for the proposed pods. The report stated the 'Appropriate Assessment submitted as part of the application cannot conclude that the propose development will not impinge on the Special Areas of Conservation' in the locality.

Objection

An objection to the development was also submitted by John Brennan of Kinnakillew, Killadoon who stated that there 'are zero facilities in this area to allow for this type of activity, shops, pubs and restaurants are all at a significant distance away from the site'. He added that the nearest shop is 15.7 km away in Louisburgh and the development proposal is 'car borne in nature, without the availability of any public transport'.

“The area is of high scenic amenity and to allow the development will have a significant negative impact on the visual amenity of the area. The proposal would set a precedent for additional pods into the future, the development will change the dynamic to a large commercial venture akin to a caravan park,” he stated.

Mr Brennan also questioned the sustainability of the proposed development in the area as well as the environmental impact it will have on the area.

In a response to concerns raised, Mr Gaven Joyce of Joyce Surveyors and Engineers Limited on behalf of the applicant stated that the proposed development shall be 'as organic as possible' and there will be very little excavation required on site.

An environmental screening report also stated that the proposed development will not impinge on the protected elements of the surrounding area and does not require any mitigation measures.

Despite the concerns, Mayo County Council planners were satisfied to grant planning permission for the proposed glamping site subject to eight conditions.