Kevin Whincup and Dr. Kate Tether have submitted a planning application to South Holland District Council to convert a 4.2-acre parcel of land in Pinchbeck, Lincolnshire, into an off-grid campsite with a fishing lake and associated facilities.
The land, located off The Chestnuts, Glenside South, has been unused for more than 50 years and was previously a site for illegal dumping.
According to LincsOnline, the proposal seeks permission to change the use from agricultural to a mixed fishery and camping business.
Plans include a glamping pod, ten grass camping pitches, a fishing lake, woodland walks, a machinery store, and a low-impact temporary building to serve as manager accommodation.
The applicants also intend to breed rare fish species, including crucian carp and tench, and to offer educational activities such as tutoring for vulnerable young people.
In their design and access statement, Whincup and Tether noted that upon purchasing the property in 2024, they began clearing access to the site, “making sure not to disrupt or damage any wildlife habitat.”
They discovered extensive fly-tipping, including tyres, glass, building rubble, and household appliances. “All of which has now been painstakingly removed from the site,” the statement said.
The pond on the property was found to be overgrown and uninhabitable due to high pH and traces of nitrites and ammonia. With the assistance of a local drainage and excavation company, the pond was cleared, rubbish removed, and drainage improved.
The woodland, which had never been coppiced, also underwent partial restoration, including the removal of invasive plants and clearing of overgrowth to allow sunlight in.
According to the applicants, the pond’s pH has now stabilised at 8, with zero ammonia and nitrates.
“Fish fry are now visible in the pond, along with water insects, ducks are landing on the pond, moor hens are occasionally seen, birds are also regular visitors to the site, along with rabbit and deer regularly too.”
For outdoor hospitality operators, the proposed development reflects ongoing trends toward eco-friendly, low-impact accommodation and diversification of rural land use.
The combination of glamping, camping, and specialist angling could attract a niche market, particularly visitors interested in sustainable tourism and nature-based experiences.
If approved, the project could serve as a case study in restoring degraded land for commercial recreation purposes.