PLANS have been submitted to create a new holiday campsite near Delamere Forest.

Nigel Waterworth is seeking planning permission from Cheshire West and Chester Council to create the tourist accommodation off Station Road, just half a kilometre from the forest's visitor centre.

The proposal would see 12 one and two-bed timber camping pods built, each with their own small decked area. Six of the pods would have outdoor hot tubs.

The campsite would also house a further 21 furnished bell tents, of different sizes, which will operate between May and September. The pods will provide year-round accommodation.

A single-storey, timber clad utilities building incorporating a shower, toilet and washing facilities is also proposed alongside a small reception and essentials shop to sell local produce for guests.

As part of the offering, guests will also have the ability to bring their horses to the site as part of their camping holiday. Educational talks on conservation and biodiversity are also planned.

According to a planning statement, prepared by Concept Town Planning on behalf of the applicant, this is an 'expanding market' and the site's existing farm building and stables make it 'ideally placed to provide this offer'.

The statement added: "The development promotes a unique and bespoke holiday experience in Delamere Forest which will sit alongside and complement the existing holiday accommodation offering in the locale, whilst also supporting the location’s status as a key visitor destination.

"Low cost and short stay overnight accommodation of this nature is identified as being in short supply realising increased visitor spend into the local economy alongside the creation of new jobs.

"The promotion of horse holidays, the education offer and the sale of local and homemade essential items, alongside the sustainability of the location and the potential for campers to travel sustainably without needing their own equipment, presents a truly distinctive offer."

The development would sit within the green belt, however the plans suggest 'very special circumstances' exist to allow this proposal.

The statement added: "In addition to the economic benefits and meeting demand for low-cost bespoke holiday accommodation, the development has been carefully considered to deliver significant biodiversity and habitat enhancements.

"Any deemed impacts have been fully considered and minimised in as much as a landscape and visual impact assessment has informed the nature and scale of the development and helped reduce visual impact as part of the proposed landscaping.

"When considering the unique nature of the scheme in its entirety, we are confident this sensitively designed development will help support and complement the existing well-established leisure offer within Delamere Forest and will provide a holiday experience not currently available.

"Furthermore, it will be delivered without detriment to the location."

Search reference 22/02714/FUL on the council's online planning portal to view and comment on the plans.