Caravans and shop are lined up for Shropshire farm

Mr and Mrs Edwards want to convert part of a range of agricultural buildings at Corner Farm near Welshampton into the new development.

The couple currently run a dairy farm and hope to sell their products in the new shop.

They hope the shop will stock local, high quality and seasonal farm produce and the restaurant will provide an opportunity for people to sample the food sold in the shop.

In the future Mr and Mrs Edwards also hope to allow small groups of people to prepare and cook the local produce in a cookery school environment.

The plans state that the visitor centre will show how food is produced and what technology is involved in agriculture.

It is intended that live streaming of work being carried out on the farm will be displayed.

A planning document submitted to Shropshire Council says: "The applicants are passionate about the future of farming, getting people involved, enthusing the young generation and giving them an insight into the agricultural industry.

"The caravan park will provide a base for tourists to explore the local area and the many places of interest that lie in vicinity.

"The house formed by conversion will be for the manager of the site who will need to be available throughout the day and night.

"The building to be utilised for this already has the benefit of planning consent for conversion.

"The conversion of the traditional range of agricultural buildings will be undertaken sympathetically, the intention is to retain its agricultural character and utilise the open spaces within the buildings to form flexible and adaptable space for visitors to enjoy.

"The caravan park is designed to have low visual impact from views into the site.

"The pitches are to be laid out in small groups each being screened with planting of native species trees.

"The hedge along the A495 will be managed and retained at a height which will effectively screen the site from passing traffic, it will provide a barrier to traffic noise.

"When completed Corner Farm will form a sustainable development promoting local rural business and tourism, it will offer opportunity to diversify local agriculture and provide an educational element based around agriculture and its future.

"The proposal at Corner Farm will allow the agricultural business to diversify into other areas which are complimentary to its activities and provide an opportunity to further develop the agricultural business.

"The site has the benefit of a previous consent for conversion, this established the suitability of the development of the site in historic, structural and ecological terms.

"This application seeks to enhance this by developing a thriving rural enterprise."