Council approves plans for holiday lodges on farmland

Blaby District Council has approved plans to build new holiday lodges on farmland in Leicestershire, with support from planning specialists at Marrons.

The development will include eight lodges – six one-bedroom and two two-bedroom – located at Oaklands, Hinckley Road, Leicester Forest West.

Each lodge will have its own recreational space, parking and an EV charging point.

The lodges will be arranged in a semi-circle near a pond and set within about one hectare of farmland and open fields.

A new driveway will be built off Peckleton Lane for vehicle access, along with a separate entrance for pedestrians and cyclists, linking to existing paths and cycle lanes.

Sachin Parmar planning director at Marrons, who led the proposals, said: “We are thrilled plans have been unanimously approved by planning committee members for the creation of a new holiday and tourist destination in Leicestershire’s countryside.

“The development is an excellent example of a sensible and sustainable approach to diversifying existing land-based rural activity. The ten lodges are designed to offer a glamping style of accommodation and aim to attract families, couples and small groups of people who are looking for a rural place to stay in the East Midlands.

“The parcel of land chosen is contained into the western corner of the wider site and is bound by dense structural vegetation on all boundaries visible from the public domain. The site selection ensures the majority of the land remains in a traditional agricultural land-based use. From public vantage points, it will still be perceived as being used for traditional agricultural activities.”