A planning application has been submitted to Shropshire Council seeking permission to convert agricultural land at Lower Vessons Farm in Habberley, near Pontesbury, into a campsite that would operate for longer periods than currently allowed.
The site presently runs a seasonal camping enterprise for up to 60 days each year under permitted development rights. The applicants are now pursuing a change of use to support a more consistent camping operation as part of a wider effort to diversify income from the farm’s agricultural and equine activities.
According to a planning statement submitted on behalf of the applicants, Gwyn Humphreys of Roger Parry & Partners said the proposal involves establishing a natural campsite with 25 tent pitches.
Mr. Humphreys stated that “the proposal simply comprises a change of use of the land from agriculture to tourism use – with no new operational development being proposed as part of the application.”
According to the Shropshire Star, he noted that the existing access from the public highway is already in place and does not require improvements to accommodate the campsite.
In his statement, Mr. Humphreys emphasized that the 25 proposed tent pitches are currently used during the farm’s 60-day seasonal camping period. “The pitches are simply on grass and no ‘concrete pad’ or other form of hardstanding is proposed,” he said.
He described the current visitor experience as catering to guests who seek a “‘wild’ experience – without many of life’s modern comforts,” and indicated that the proposed year-round operation would follow the same model.
As part of maintaining a low-impact approach, no internal access roads or tracks would be added, and only cold-water showers would be available.
He added that the private access track serving the site is well-maintained, and the existing vehicular access offers good visibility for drivers.
“It is considered that the traffic levels associated with the proposed minor development would not be large enough to cause any appreciable impacts upon the safe use and operation of the local highway network,” Mr. Humphreys said.
Public comments on the application (reference 25/04044/FUL) are being accepted until November 25.
For business owners in the outdoor hospitality sector, the proposal reflects ongoing demand for simple, low-infrastructure camping experiences that align with trends toward minimal-impact, nature-based tourism.
Operators considering similar diversification efforts may find value in the approach taken in this application, which focuses on utilizing existing land and access infrastructure while maintaining a minimal development footprint.