PRE-APPLICATION advice has been requested for a scheme which would put nine cabins on wheels on Kilkhampton Common. Eight for accommodation with the ninth providing a reception area.

The units would be constructed by local craftsmen and wheeled to the site. Four of the accommodation units would be located in woodland and sleep two people whilst the remaining four would be located in the lower field and sleep up to six people. The units would be run for ten months of the year accommodating a maximum of 20 people on site at any one time. The proposal includes the creation of public car parking at the entrance and guest parking by reception.

The applicants want to buy the 20-acre site, subject to planning permission being given.

The application letter said: “The applicants are keen to develop a sustainable tourism accommodation business as a means to retain, protect and further enhance Kilkhampton Common for the local community and wildlife. The proposed development would support local businesses by allowing more overnight visitors to stay in the area while guests could enjoy a high-quality glamping experience in a secluded nature environment. The applicants are keen to offer bespoke and unusual accommodation in this beautiful location and allow guests to benefit from a back to nature break.”

They also intend to develop the site as a community resource, once the accommodation units are established, and plan to create a central hub space making use of the derelict barn to host community events, workshops and courses. The development would create the equivalent of two full time jobs.

Kilkhampton Common has been managed for nature conservation since around 2012 with sheep and goat grazing to manage pasture areas. But active management of the site stopped two years ago and the land was put up for sale. Public access through the Common has been established using a combination of way-marked rights of way and permissive footpaths although it is not officially registered as common land.