Planning permission for tourist themed accommodation bus on Portrush site of luxury glamping pods
Causeway Coast and Glens Council has received a planning application for a themed tourist accommodation bus at the same Portrush location where three luxury glamping pods were erected earlier this summer.
A planning application was received on August 3, seeking temporary permission to station a double-decker bus, for short-term visitor accommodation, at 10 Castle Erin Road.
In July, three luxury glamping pods were erected at Castle Erin Road without planning permission, prompting Council to launch investigation.
In an accompanying cover letter, agents MKA Planning said the application is temporary for two years to “assess the viability of the proposal”, and as the bus is not designed for permanent siting and is to be located within a coastal location within Portrush, any visual impacts will be temporary and positive, “creating visual interest”.
“The applicant is considering seasonally decorating and tailoring the bus to reflect various themes such as the Spice Girls and Summer Holiday etc,” the letter added.
“The applicant has been able to park a similar bus on the application site to assess the potential visual impact, [and] the bus is partially or entirely screened by existing buildings from some viewpoints.
“Council has previously temporarily approved a big wheel on the adjoining open space area opposite Kerr Street, and this indicates [their] willingness to embrace temporary proposals which encourage tourism and visitors.
“Considering the location and siting of the proposed double-decker bus, there will be little loss of the outstanding vista of the peninsula, across West Bay from the western approaches to Portrush.”