Farmers Simeon and Amy Plumb have received planning approval to expand tourism accommodations at Thornham Farm near Seend, Wiltshire, following a decision by Wiltshire Council. The approval allows the creation of a camping and caravan site that will add new tent and touring caravan facilities alongside two glamping pods that were previously installed at the farm in 2023.
Under the approved plans, the site will include four bell tents placed on timber decking, 10 tent pitches, four touring caravan spaces, and associated wash facilities. The applicants said the development is intended to diversify the farm’s income streams and support the long-term viability of the agricultural business.
In planning documents submitted to the council, the applicants stated that the proposal would “generate income for the family whilst having no impact on the countryside setting or neighbouring residences.” The application also said the site is designed to appeal to visitors seeking a “countryside experience.”
The farm is located within walking distance of Seend village, Seend Cleeve, and the Kennet & Avon Canal, which provides towpath access toward Melksham and Devizes. The location was identified as part of the site’s appeal to visitors interested in rural tourism and outdoor recreation.
According to the Gazette & Herald, the application received no objections from neighboring residents, while Seend Parish Council also raised no objections to the plans. However, Wiltshire Council’s highways department expressed concerns about additional traffic using New Lane, a single-width rural road serving the site.
As part of the approval, council planners imposed a condition requiring a passing place to be constructed before caravans are permitted on the site. The condition is intended to address vehicle movement and access concerns along the narrow lane.
Additional planning conditions were included to limit external lighting across the development in order to protect local wildlife habitats, particularly populations of greater and lesser horseshoe bats known to inhabit the surrounding area.
The approval reflects a continuing trend among rural landowners and farm operators seeking to diversify into outdoor hospitality and glamping accommodations as part of broader business sustainability strategies.
For campground, glamping, caravan park, and RV industry professionals, the project illustrates how smaller-scale rural tourism developments are increasingly tied to planning conditions related to transportation infrastructure and environmental mitigation.
Operators pursuing similar projects may face growing scrutiny around road access, ecological impact, and lighting management, particularly in countryside locations with protected species habitats.
The Thornham Farm proposal also demonstrates how phased tourism expansion can be used to test market demand before larger-scale investments are pursued. Beginning with two glamping pods installed in 2023, the farm has now secured approval for a broader mix of accommodations that target both campers and touring caravan visitors.