A planning application has been submitted to Dorset Council seeking approval for an expansion of camping facilities at Sweet Hill Farm and the Chesil Equestrian Centre in Southwell, Portland.
The proposal requests permission for an additional 30 camping pitches for children’s adventure holidays, alongside infrastructure improvements and new accommodation options.
According to the application, the site would retain its existing shower block, add a toilet block, and open a new field for camping and glamping. Plans include the installation of up to nine shepherd’s huts across two fields.
As part of the development, the operators propose to restore a stone wall and implement a scrub management landscape strategy aimed at maintaining and enhancing the surrounding environment.
In a letter to Dorset Council, site operator Daniel Lees outlined the project’s objectives, stating that it is designed to integrate with the natural environment and encourage active outdoor experiences.
“Sweet Hill Farm has always been more than just a campsite — it’s a living, breathing project rooted in regeneration, community, and connection to nature,” Lees wrote.
“Over the past few years, I’ve worked to shape the land not just into a functional space, but into somewhere people can slow down, reconnect, and feel part of something real.”
Lees added that the site’s development approach has been shaped by both environmental considerations and feedback from local authorities.
“Everything we’ve done at Sweet Hill has been about working with the land, not against it… We’ve taken on feedback from the Council, and we’re committed to improving and protecting the landscape we’re fortunate to be custodians of,” he said.
For outdoor hospitality business owners, the proposed expansion reflects a broader industry trend toward blending traditional camping with higher-comfort options such as shepherd’s huts, while maintaining environmental stewardship.
If approved, the project could offer an example of how small- to mid-sized operators can diversify accommodation offerings, extend seasonal viability, and appeal to multiple customer segments while integrating conservation measures into development plans. Dorset Council is expected to review the proposal in the coming weeks, as reported by South West Farmer.