PLANS have been lodged to provide ‘luxury’ camping pods on a farm in south Cumbria in a bid to support an agricultural business.

Chris and Daniel Pickthall have submitted a planning application to Westmorland and Furness Council to install three camping pods on Ecclerigg Hall Farm in Killington after previous planning applications for the site were refused.

Planning documents state: “The proposal is of high importance to the applicants’ farming business who are seeking to support the longevity of their farming enterprise within the Westmorland and Furness area.

“The proposal is sought as a farm diversification scheme to support their existing rural business in a time of great uncertainty for the agricultural industry.”

The council refused the most recent application in October due to concerns the units were not ‘temporary’ and the site was ‘unsuitable’. Planning officers also stated the applicant failed to provide a ‘sufficient’ ecological assessment of the site.

According to a cover letter submitted with the plans, the applicant argues the proposal are for a farm diversification scheme and therefore meet planning rules and has submitted reports detailing the ecological impacts of the plans.

Planning documents state the applicant would provide ‘visitor experience packages’, promoting local businesses, attractions, local footpaths and cycle routes as well as providing guests with a hamper of local produce for use during their stay.