PLANS for more than a dozen glamping pods will cause a loss of privacy, say residents.

The Leader recently reported on plans received by Flintshire Council which propose to site 15 new glamping pods at Northop Hall Country House Hotel in Chester Road.

Residents living next to the site have raised a number of concerns over the scheme including a loss of privacy, noise and an impact on a public right of way.

Catherine Owens, whose garden backs directly onto the proposed site, said she did not feel the site plans were accurate as they did not reflect the neighbouring homes.

She said: “There are three residential properties here. We are all challenging the plans and we are rallying as much support as we can.

“The application has complete disregard for my privacy. I have two gardens that would be affected by the development.

“One backs on to several of the proposed pods and the other is on the same site as the proposed development and would overlook the pods.

“The application states that the pods would not overlook anything.

“They might not - but my lounge, dining room, bedrooms and garden will overlook the pods. Views are not a consideration for a planning application but surely if I can look out of my window and see campers, they can look back at me – again infringing on my privacy.

“Then there is the noise. There is always noise from functions at the hotel but they are limited in terms of how long they go on for. With the pods it is going to be continuous.”

Katrina Crofts, whose home is also close to the site, said: “The application states that no change of use is needed - I live next to a hotel, not a campsite.

“Having lived next door for some time I am fully aware that some noise is to be expected from a hotel.

“I believe that the music in the hotel has a curfew time of midnight.”

Residents also said they are concerned about the impact of the plans on a public footpath and local wildlife, as well as some works which have already been undertaken at the development site.

In the application, a designs and access statement by Hive Architects Studio Ltd states: “The pods have been laid out in an organic arrangement around the wooded area at the north end of the lawn.”

It adds additional screening will be planted between pods and lawns within the site, and the pods will be separated from the neighbouring properties by screening and are at a lower height so do not cause overlooking issues.

The plans read: “Construction is such that the pods can be easily manoeuvred into position without use of a crane. Each pod can be installed or removed within a day.

“The aim is to provide accommodation in a pleasant environment and so the existing trees would be complemented with new.

“A range of new trees would be provided which would add screening and improve biodiversity over time.

“It is important to clarify that normal good practice and neighbourly policies would apply to the pod users as they do to external areas of the hotel to avoid excessive noise and particularly disturbance to neighbours in the late hours.”