By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
There are plans to introduce 10 new glamping pods at a popular Nottinghamshire country park.
The pods, which can sleep up to six people each, will be built on land owned by Nottinghamshire County Council at Holme Pierrepont Country Park.
The park already has a campsite and accommodation but council documents say there is demand for more due to the “growing staycation market”.
Holme Pierrepont Country Park and the National Water Sports Centre are
run by Serco Leisure Operating Limited under a long-term contract to the County Council.
The project will cost £684,240 including the pods, planning fees, services and landscaping.
Nottinghamshire County Council would cover the cost of the pods at £500,000 and Serco would fund the remaining costs.
The pods would be operational in time for the 2024 February half
term.
The council currently pays a management fee of £146,000 a year towards the site. But the authority will be given a £50,000 reduction in the fee per year as part of its investment in the pods.
Council documents state: “The campsite, which offers tent and caravan pitches alongside a number of ‘camping arch’ cabins, all of which share toilet and shower facilities, has been especially successful during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, benefitting from a growing ‘staycation’ market.
“In order to capitalise upon increased domestic tourism, the campsite has a need to diversify its offer with self-contained, luxury units that have their own toilet and shower facilities.
“At present, the average stay of campers is one to two nights, unless there is a specific bookable event on site. It is anticipated that the introduction of the S-Pod Glamping Modules will extend this average stay to 2-3 nights, broadening the target market to those looking to use Holme Pierrepont as a base to explore the wider Nottinghamshire visitor offer.”
The county council say the move shows its commitment to combat climate change as the pods are manufactured in the UK and run solely on electricity.
Around 200 trees and shrubs will be planted as part of the plans to offset the carbon impact of the accommodation, the plans state.
