A former motocross site near Walton, Somerset, is set to become a fishing lake and camping destination following the approval of a new development plan by Somerset Council.
The proposal, submitted by developer S. Alway and prepared by Wells-based Salmon Planning Company, received planning permission (ref. 2023/1137/FUL) earlier this year, allowing the 5-acre field off Walton High Road to be redeveloped into a mixed-use recreational site centered on angling and short-stay camping.
The approved plan includes the creation of a 1.43-hectare fishing lake featuring ten designated fishing swims, one of which will be wheelchair-accessible.
Around three-quarters of the site will be occupied by the lake, with the remainder dedicated to tent pitches, a timber-clad facilities lodge, and supporting infrastructure.
The lodge will be a single-story building measuring 66 square meters, designed to serve as the main amenities area for visitors.
To support the change of use, the developer will construct 18 gravel parking bays and undertake new access and safety improvements along Berhill Lane.
As part of the landscaping and environmental plan, the motocross track currently on the property will be removed, and 60 native trees will be planted to enhance biodiversity and reduce visual impact.
According to a report by the Glastonbury Nub News, a secondary entrance to the site will also be sealed off to minimize traffic disruption in the surrounding area.
While the site will accommodate campers overnight, the developer confirmed there will be no permanent accommodation, aligning the project with small-scale, low-impact rural tourism models that have grown in popularity across the UK.
For outdoor hospitality operators, this development reflects ongoing diversification trends among rural landowners who are converting underused or single-purpose land into multi-use recreation spaces.
By incorporating fishing and camping, the project caters to both the angling community and the growing demand for nature-based, low-density holiday experiences—an area of increasing interest within the wider outdoor hospitality sector.