PLANS to build six new glamping pods on a wooded farm field have been tabled.
The luxury units, manufactured by Pod Factory, would be rented out on a per-nightly basis and marketed to couples and small families as a "peaceful and relaxing" retreat in nature.
Three different types of pods would be built on the site - two super premium 42-square-meter 'Snowdon' pods, three compact 29-square-meter 'Brecon' pods and one compact 18-square-meter 'Morven' pod.
Each pod would have an area of decking and the existing shed would be repurposed to provide bicycle storage.
Developers said the site would remain "purposefully underdeveloped", utilising only three per cent of the wooded area at Field Farm, on Porton Road, for the pods and external decking.
A spokesperson for Glampitect, the planning agent, said: "Nearby towns and cities offer plenty of cafes, restaurants and local shops for guests to visit and as such, the proposal will create an economic benefit to local businesses and services.
"The proposed accommodation will allow visitors to spend time outdoors to relax in a natural setting as well as explore the surrounding area."
Guests would enter the site from the existing gated entrance and follow a new permeable track along the south-eastern site boundary toward the woodland to the car park, consisting of 10 bays.
The Glampitect spokesperson added: "‘Glamping at Field Farm’ will provide a new and exciting accommodation option for Porton and the surrounding area, offering a unique, relaxing and sustainable stay in nature.
"Demand for this type of rural woodland accommodation is high throughout the country, which has also been shown to be true of other glamping sites within southwest England. The development will increase footfall for local businesses and through correct marketing, should increase the length of time tourists remain in the local area.
"This will be beneficial to the local economy including tourist attractions, restaurants, other businesses and local services."
Chris Reynolds, of Field Farm Limited, submitted the development plans (PL/2023/10276) to Wiltshire Council on December 18.
The council has until February 12, 2024, to decide on whether to grant Mr Reynolds planning permission.
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