The romantic ‘couple’s retreat’ in Wigan attracting visitors from as far away as New Zealand
Planning permission has been granted for a “shepherd’s hut” and hot tub holiday let built on green belt land in Wigan which has already been operating for more than a year.
Described as a “resounding success” by its owners, the structure at Belle Vue, Lowton is described as “a luxurious, romantic countryside retreat” designed for couples seeking “peace, comfort, and a deep connection with nature.”
Originally built without planning permission, the owner of The Hut at Belle Vue said in its first 12 months of operation it had attracted 181 visitors, some from as far away as New Zealand.
Wigan Council’s planning committee agreed with an officers’ report which said that although the plans had been submitted retrospectively, approval of the application was recommended
Planners said that the impact on the green belt"‘is considered to be minimal when weighed against its limited footprint, modest scale, and discreet location within a well-established landscaped setting.”
The committee voted by a majority of 13 to one to approve the plans.
The couple’s retreat includes an open plan double bedroom, living area and kitchen with a separate shower room.
A separate gazebo alongside provides sheltered cover for a hot tub.
The site is wholly within the green belt in the grounds of a private home and around 300m from the Pennington Flash Nature Reserve.
The council received 45 representations about the plans. Of those 26 were in support of the application and 19 objected to it.
Speaking after the decision was made the proprietor of The Hut at Belle Vue, Andy McKechnie, told the Local Democracy News Service why he had applied retrospectively for permission the structures.
He said: “This was a conscious decision, despite our full awareness of the significant risks of refusal which it carried and which we balanced with our confidence that not only would the accommodation attract visitors, but due to the sympathetic nature of the development and the manner in which it is managed, would hopefully succeed at a planning application.
“To have made the application from the outset would not have enabled us to accurately predict the occupancy levels and therefore the viability of the project – and although confident that the venture would be a success, we were acutely aware that a level of proof of popularity would be necessary to get the application over the line.
“As it now transpires, the venture has been a resounding success, having attracted to date a total of 181 visitors over the 12 months it has been in operation, one couple from as far afield as New Zealand and two couples from the Kent area.
“The vast majority of these visitors have spent time exploring the adjacent nature reserve at Pennington Flash Country Park, the surrounding areas and have contributed to the local economy.”
Landscaping work completed on the site includes a raised decking access path between the shepherd’s hut and gazebo, along with stone surfacing to an outdoor seating area.
There is also a designated parking space for the hut.