A planning application has been submitted to Ceredigion County Council proposing the development of a traditional canvas tent campsite on a farm near Cross Inn.
The application, lodged by Jenni and Robert Jones of Berthlwyd Farm with the support of agent Barnabas Richardson, seeks approval for a change of land use to allow for six camping tents and the conversion of a disused farm building into an honesty shop and storage facility.
According to documents submitted with the proposal, the project aims to support the long-term sustainability of the farm.
The campsite at Berthlwyd Farm will enable the farmers to secure the farming business for future generations by enabling family members to continue working on the farm,” a supporting statement reads.
The application outlines plans for six traditional-style canvas tents, which will be located in a paddock east of the farm’s main buildings.
The tents will be green in color and designed to blend into the surrounding landscape. The structure of each tent consists of a canvas roof and sides stretched over a framework supported by poles and guy ropes, with all structures resting directly on the ground.
The design is intended to reduce visual impact and enable flexibility, with all tents being movable and fully repairable.
“The proposal is completely flexible in design. The tents can be moved from the site if the use were to change again,” the application states.
“The tents themselves are designed to the highest standard so that visitors can use all the facilities effectively. The tents supplied are all assembled to exactly the same design so materials are repairable, interchangeable, and/or replaceable, allowing the farmers to continue using any tent with simple repair procedures.”
A redundant farm building is also proposed for renovation as part of the scheme, to include an honesty shop and storage facility serving campsite guests.
According to Herald.Wales, the council has not yet set a date for when the application will be reviewed, but it will be considered at a future meeting of the planning committee.
For business owners in the outdoor hospitality industry, this application highlights a continued trend in rural diversification, where agricultural properties are repurposing land and structures to tap into the growing demand for domestic and nature-based tourism.
The project underscores how small-scale, low-impact glamping developments can be positioned to both support farm incomes and meet visitor expectations for authentic countryside experiences.