A serviceman has been given planning permission for a glamping holiday site which he wants to run with his family when he leaves the military.

Andrew Conner had applied for permission to change the use of his land at Koth An Skiber, Tremenhere Farm, Ponsanooth, to have five glamping pods.

His application had been recommended for refusal by Cornwall Council's planning officers as they said it was not in an accessible location.

But Mr Conner said that he believed that the site was in easy reach of a local shop and that visitors would provide a boost for local businesses without having major impact on the area.

He said that he and his family live in the house adjacent to the site and that he wanted to establish the new park as he is coming to the end of a 25-year career in the military.

Mr Conner commented:

"This is an opportunity to spend some time with my wife and children after a long time away. It will be low impact and will have little impact on the road network."

Mr Conner said that the local shop was 750 metres from the site and was closer than any neighbouring houses.

He told councillors that glamping relies on sites being placed in rural locations which are quiet and peaceful and not close to developments:

"The rural tranquility is part of the attraction."

Mr Conner said that he was planning to use the pods for short-term holidays and would operate them all year round, helping to extend the holiday season in Cornwall, which is supported by Visit Cornwall.

He added:

"I am trying to establish a small, low-impact holiday venue after a long time in the military. This will not generate any adverse impact locally. I ask councillors to help support me get this off the ground and create a quality holiday experience."

Stithians Parish Council had already given their support to the application saying that they did not consider that it would have a negative impact on the local area.

Councillors said that they considered that the site was a sustainable location and the small scale of the venture would mean the impact was not be significant.

The application was approved with six votes in favour and four against.

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