Plans for farmland to be turned into glamping site

Plans to turn agricultural land near Peterborough into a four-pod glamping site have been submitted.

The applicant, Manor Farm, says development of the site in Thornhaugh, near Wittering, is intended as a form of farm diversification to help boost income, which will also promote tourism in the area.

According to the plans, to be considered by Peterborough City Council, the pods would be serviced by two part-time staff members and have hot tubs, a decking area and five car parking spaces.

The proposal includes new hedgerow planting, wildflower meadow areas, and bird and bat boxes.

The design statement says the site will be promoted as a "relaxing retreat in nature" with the pods dispersed across the site to preserve openness.

"Like many rural enterprises, agricultural businesses are increasingly required to diversify their income streams in order to remain viable in the face of changing economic conditions, rising operational costs and fluctuations within agricultural markets," the statement adds.

"To improve resilience, the applicant has already successfully diversified part of the Manor Farm business through the provision of holiday accommodation. The existing holiday cottages have performed well and have demonstrated demand for high-quality rural visitor accommodation in the area.

"The proposed glamping development represents a natural progression of this successful diversification strategy."

The council will consider the application at a later date.

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