The West Bay Holiday Park is asking to add an extra 16 glamping pitches to its Forty Foot Way site.

Owners, the Parkdean Resorts company, say that if the planning application is allowed it will result in the loss of four car parking spaces on the existing touring field, but is likely to result in an increase in visitors.

An application for the change to Dorset Council says that there is a high demand for glamping pitches.

The site proposed is on the north west corner of the site which the company says will mean the plots will be screened by existing hedgerows.

Said the application to Dorset Council: “In order to continue to offer improved facilities at the Park, the proposal to redevelop this site with new glamping pitches, it is necessary to develop the business in line with market demand and keep up with the current holidaying trends in the South West. The current demand being an increase in the frequency of short breaks in the UK taken throughout the year, as opposed to a couple of week-long holidays a year. Also the new trend towards ‘glamping’ which will be in the form of Safari tents offering accommodation and facilities more luxurious than those associated with traditional camping.”

Each of the tents will be on a timber base with a double and a single bed, a small kitchen, dining and lounge area with outdoor seating on decking, with shared shower and toilet facilities nearby.

All of the tents will face south with what the company say will be ‘generous spacing’ to allow for privacy and views with a parking space alongside each tent.

The application says the change should result in a slight increase in the number of visitors throughout the year, but not enough to be detrimental to the enjoyment of the site.

Public comments on the application, Dorset Council ref 2022/03702, remain open until July 27.