A plan to create a ’glamping’ site in Port Erin has been refused by planners.

The local authority - that dreamt up the idea and requested expressions of interest in running the site - has appealed against refusal.

The bid (17/00254/B) by Rowany Glamping was for 10 glamping pods on an unused field zoned for recreational use by Rowany golf club house.

Letters of objection from residents outlined various concerns including that it would devalue property, generate more traffic, excessive noise, smells (from the barbecue) and rubbish.

Haven Homes has bought an option to develop the field adjacent to the site for housing, is concerned about the noise and visual impact of the site and requested an acoustic and visual barrier be erected.

Advocates Long and Humphrey representing for Collinson House wrote the proposal ’would represent an unjustified departure from planning policy’ it is not zoned for this use.

When objections were made, commissioners’ clerk Jason Roberts said it is a shame those in support of the plan did not express their views and one did subsequently, they said it would be good for tourism, not generate too much traffic and provide employment.

Planners said: ’Were there support from local residents, the application may have gone forward with a recommendation to approve. However, the proposal has proved controversial and worrying to people living nearby and, in view also of the recently adopted zoning for the area and the lack of strong material considerations to outweigh the identified concerns (it is refused).’

They referred the proposal to the planning committee and added if the committee approved the plan, they should include conditions relating to issues such as planting and opening periods.

The committee concluded it would have ’an unduly harmful impact on the open character and natural appearance of this prominent location and an ’unduly harmful impact on neighbouring living conditions’.