Farmer plans to diversify with glamping campsite
A farmer is hoping to diversify and turn one of his paddocks into a small glamping site.
The owners of Purslow Hall Farm, in between Craven Arms and Clun, have applied to Shropshire Council for permission to build five glamping pods, an amenity building, install a sewage treatment plant and alter the current access to the site.
A design statement said: “Bearing in the mind the need to diversify due to changes in the EU Support Payments and the situation within the popular tourism area in the Clun Valley, the applicants have had pre-application advice for the proposed enterprise.
“This is a low-key enterprise which will be complementary to the existing beef, sheep and arable enterprises.
“The application site extends to circa one acre including the access. This is an ideal site for the proposed use.
“The camping pods will have one bedroom and will be six metres long by 3.9 metres width and three metres in height.
"Externally they will be timber clad with a colour and material which will be sympathetic within the AONB and utilising many natural products.
"Whilst each of the camping pods will have their own shower, toilet and a small kitchen there is a need for storage of bikes, drying of clothes and other items in association with the leisure enterprise."
Purslow Farm has been in the same family since the 1920s and is a Grade II listed building.
The matter will now go before the planning committee at a date to be set.
The design statement added: "The applicants wish and need to create a new enterprise and effectively a new income stream for the farming business. The site lends itself very well to this low-key enterprise.
"The proposal will generate local employment and encourage tourists to South Shropshire. Both are beneficial to the local economy, supporting local businesses."
The matter will now before the planning committee at a date to be set.
