With the popularity of glamping on the rise after the coronavirus pandemic cancelled many holidaymakers’ plans this year, you could be thinking that now’s the perfect time to open your own site. Our top tip for your planning process is to remember your site’s biodiversity and try to preserve or encourage it wherever you can.
Many sites designed with a commercial point of view forget to consider this important detail – one that’s not only vital for preserving the welfare of your land but also a major draw for your glamping demographic. Now’s the time to make the most of getting back to nature and really play up your site’s unique ecosystem, so it makes sense to take some time to really get to know it.
It’s also important to remember that while a biodiversity net gain (BNG) is not currently required by law, most local planning authorities (LPAs) will require an ecological assessment to establish the baseline ecology on site so the proposals can be assessed against what exists. Don’t worry though; it might sound overwhelming, but no one knows your land better than you do, and as long as you do your research properly, you’ll have nothing to worry about!
When designing with biodiversity in mind, it’s all about taking your cues from the natural environment surround your land – take some time to explore your land and try to identify the key features that you want to protect, emphasise or plan around. This will provide your jumping off point, and from there inform you on what sort of structures and features would suit the business.
Personally, we think our glamping domes are the perfect fit for all landscapes (we might be biased!) – they’re made using aircraft-grade aluminium, which is not only exceptionally strong but also recyclable, and their easy assembly allows for minimal disruption to the land they sit on. They can even be moved if needed!
What elements of your site’s ecology do you plan to make the most of? Tell us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!