‘Luxurious, romantic countryside retreat’ was built on green belt in Wigan borough without planning permission

The structure is described by the applicant as “a luxurious, romantic countryside retreat” designed for couples seeking “peace, comfort and a deep connection with nature”.

Wigan Council’s planning committee will deliberate on retrospective proposals from Mr A McKechnie for the timber structure, along with an associated gazebo and landscaping at Belle Vue, Lowton.

The application site is wholly within the green belt and around 300 metres from Pennington Flash Nature Reserve.

A planning report to be put before the committee said the shepherd’s hut occupies a substantial plot containing a number of existing outbuildings.

The report said: “The shepherd’s hut is predominately constructed from timber and measures 6.25m in length by 3.65m in width, with a maximum height of 4.05m.

“The hut includes an open plan double bedroom, living area and kitchen with a separate shower room. The gazebo provides sheltered cover for a hot tub.”

Landscaping work completed on the site include 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.

A design and access report in support for the plans said: “The application seeks retention of a shepherd’s hut used for holiday accommodation purposes.

“The proposal seeks to regularise an established use that has already demonstrated strong demand, with the hut consistently attracting visitors and contributing positively to the local economy.

“The hut at Belle Vue offers short-stay holiday let accommodation.

“More specifically, it offers a luxurious, romantic countryside retreat designed for couples seeking peace, comfort and a deep connection with nature.

“It has been purposefully designed in every way to offer an intimate escape where guests can unwind in a private outdoor hot tub beneath the stars, relax by the warmth of a log burner, and wake to the sounds of wildlife.”

The council has received 45 representations about the plans – 26 of those were in support of the application and 19 object to it.

Points of objection included that the development was “inappropriate development in the green belt” and that the “retrospective nature of the application undermines the planning process”.

Issues of the impact on neighbouring residential amenity, including overlooking, loss of privacy, increased visitor activity and noise disturbance, particularly from the hot tub and evening use of the site, were also raised.

Supportive statements said the development was a “small-scale, discreet and well-managed tourism use”, and that it was a “positive contribution to the local economy”.

The planning report recommends approval of the application, stating 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”.

A visitor log included in documents supporting the application dates back to July 2025.

The log gives the home post codes of those who have stayed at the shepherd’s hut, with visitors coming from as far away as Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Rugby and Twickenham.

The application is on the agenda of the planning committee meeting to be held on Tuesday.