Plans for county Kilkenny glamping park rejected due to lack of tourism in area

An application to create a tourism experience in county Kilkenny has been turned down by the local authority because the scale of the proposal and its location was deemed to be unsuitable.

Jenny Etherton lodged an application with Kilkenny County Council to construct 16 glamping pods and to change the use of existing outbuilding to kitchen, café and toilet facilities at a site in Grange, near The Rower.

The plan requested construction of the glamping site over three phases. The first phase involved the construction of four pods, kitchens and toilet facilities. Six more pods would be built in the second and third phases.

However, Kilkenny County Council refused permission to the project, stating: “The proposal is not within walking distance of any settlement nor is it serving any destination of tourism potential. The proposed development, which is  located in a rural area over 3km from the smaller settlement of the Rower, would result in a facility of excessive scale for a rural location, devoid of services and facilities and would therefore be contrary to the proper planning and development of the area.”

The council added that there was no “local tourism product and therefore, no pressing need to be located in this area”.

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