Useful to know...

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The fee to apply for a licence ranges from zero to £600 or more, depending on your local authority, and there is normally no expiry date unless the site's planning permission expires.  

 

Applying for planning permission 

You will need to apply to your local authority for planning permission and determine what sort of planning application is required - it may be that the land benefits from existing planning consent and you simply need to apply to change a condition, or a full planning application may be necessary. (Part III of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990) 

We can assist with applications on your behalf in addition to handling all site design requirements.

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DELIVERY AND INSTALLATION 

 

All pods are designed to enable transportation on a standard delivery vehicle requiring no special delivery equipment.  The units can be installed directly from a HIAB unit or, where the site has potential access problems, a crane may be used.  Occasionally, providing that the lifting capacity is sufficient, a fork lift truck can be used  

 

All smart eco glamping pods can be installed without the need for a concrete foundation due to the steel frame base plate. Our normal method of installation is using either concrete pads or large screws which the steel frame sits on. 

 

The ground should be cleared and flat and a weed repellent membrane applied. Pre-measured locations for the concrete pads or screw are marked out on site and located in their position. The surface of the membrane should be covered with either bark or gravel. This covering should exceed the base area of the pod by 600mm around each wall area. The surface is now ready to receive your pod. 

 

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SITE ENERGY REQUIREMENTS 

 

Unless you are operating completely off grid your pod will require connection to the grid.  

Generally, the process is quite simple in that a request is made to your network service provider for a new connection or upgrade and they will inform you of the connection costs. They will require you to fill in the application form, provide a drawing of the site and a description of the size of connection required. We can manage this process for you. 

 

Our experience in the renewables sector means we understand the connection requirements on site, the potential restrictions and unlike most suppliers how any renewable technology can integrate with the grid company to manage power inputs. Correct energy balance will reduce expenditure. 

 

Your pod business by its nature will be a larger than normal user of energy particularly if using a jacuzzi or whirl pool and therefore understanding the energy balance will save your capital at the start and revenue as your business grows. 

 

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SUSTAINABILITY AND ECO CREDENTIALS 

 

Carefully managing our business to protect the future of our planet.

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Our Commitment to The Future 

  

As an eco-home builder, sustainability plays a major role in our company’s philosophy.  

What does sustainability mean? Defined as ‘avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance’ this essentially means producing our product in an environment where as few resources are used to build our pods, in the quickest time, utilizing renewable materials which are sustainably managed.  

 

Our factory is highly insulated, solar pv generates energy and heating is generated from recycling the waste wood resulting in very little waste going to land fill.  Our wood supply base for example, must be from sustainable sources and replenishable.  

 

All pods have been designed to minimize the amount of energy used every day. The structure which is made from SIPS panels are highly insulated and fully compliant with building regulation standards offering low U values. Floors and walls are also SIPS constructed and designed with the latest materials. The presence of an efficient air ventilation system managing the hot and cold temperatures in the pod is a key factor in maintaining a comfortable environment.  

 

Low energy heating is provided by low energy electric wall heaters maintaining a comfortable and even warmth 35 watts in total. LED lighting is also provided contributing to low energy consumption, typically using less than 35 watts. An air ventilation system is also present offering an air change rate often seen in A rated eco- homes. Solar PV panels can be provided to generate energy as well as battery storage to create a power positive option and zero carbon build. 

 

Wherever possible recycled materials are used in the construction process. Factory built modular units mean that waste is kept to an absolute minimum using offsite production. 

 

Continuously improving our environmental performance in all our business activities both internally and externally form a fundamental part of our business philosophy. 

 

FINANCING MY POD PURCHASE 

 

Some pod purchases will be with cash or bank facilities, however most funding to purchase pods for your glamping business will be financed through external resources. Smart eco glamping offer the following facility to finance your pod. 

 

• Lease purchase 

• Hire purchase 

• Commercial loan. 

 

See our section on our finance page or click the button below to leave your details with our finance team.

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We offer JOINT VENTURE OPPORTUNITIES as follows: 

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• You own the land 

• We build the pods 

• The infra structure is set up by both parties 

• A new jointly owned business owns and runs the new glamping business as a joint venture. 

• Shared ownership, shared costs and shared returns. 

 

RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGIES 

 

As a business owner leasing and renting pods, the use of renewable technologies offers the opportunity to benefit from managing your ongoing costs whilst utilizing the grants offered by the MCS accredited technologies i.e. solar PV, solar thermal, air/water source heat pumps, battery storage and water recovery systems. 

 

Whilst they may seem technical in their appearance, the efficiencies and cost saving benefits should simply be seen as a facility to manage ongoing costs to the benefit of the business. 

 

Heating water and using electricity are the biggest costs your business will experience when occupancy reaches over 50%. Using these technologies will lead to improvements in cost control within your glamping site. 

 

Our technology expertise includes:

• Solar PV- energy generation 

• Solar thermal- hot water  

• Air and water source heat pumps- hot water, heating and under floor heating 

• Battery storage- managed energy cost control 

• Water recovery- reduced water bills 

 

The other additional benefit in the use of renewable technologies is the contribution to the reduction in carbon emissions. Should you be aiming to obtain a 5-star rating this will be essential to the success of your application.