A FARM in Herefordshire wants to benefit from an expected boom in staycations with two new holiday lodges.

Robert Turner asked Herefordshire Council if he could put the two lodges on his farmland near Bromyard as he planned to launch the new holiday business venture.

Documents submitted with the planning application said tourism had been the fastest growing industry in the UK since 2010, and was expected to carrying on expanding by 3.8 per cent every year until 2025.

They added that because of the coronavirus pandemic and travel abroad discouraged, it was expected to be a bumper year for so-called staycations.

"Herefordshire is clearly reliant upon this important and expanding part of its economy," a design and access statement said.

"It will, of course, have been seriously and unavoidably hit and weakened during the past year due to Covid-19.

"However, as a result of the pandemic the popularity of 'staycation' and self-catering breaks is expected to rise as the economy recovers."

Mr Turner wanted the planning permission for the two timber clad lodges, with three bedrooms, in a woodland setting on the outskirts of Upper Sapey as he planned to launch a small self-catering holiday business venture.

The village, near to the Worcestershire border, is home to a recently renovated pub, The Baiting House, and Sapey Golf Club, which was bought by millionaire businessman Alfie Best, of Wyldecrest Parks, in 2017.

Consultants working on the South Batch Farm scheme, near to the golf club, said full account was taken of the landscape setting through the choice of materials which would help to ensure the lodges belong to and sit comfortably within the woodland.

"Similarly, the development is understanding of and sensitive to its landscape character context," they said.

"The proposal has clear economic social and environmental benefits which are not outweighed by any adverse impacts and this should ensure that the scheme is a sustainable form of development."

Comments on application 211701 can be made until Friday, July 2, with a target determination date of Tuesday, June 22.