A PROJECT which would see seven wigwam cabins built on a farm in Brampton will be decided by Carlisle City Council’s planning department.

The Dixon family have submitted a planning application for change of use, with plans to bring seven cabins to Whinney Hill Farm, transforming part of their farm into a luxury camp site.

Adam and Matthew Dixon, sons of Charles Dixon are now taking on the day-to-day running of the farm for him and his brother Michael.

They have acknowledged in their planning application that they need to diversify what the farm has to offer “reducing the reliance on traditional farming led activities and moving towards the direction of tourism.”

Explaining their plans, they said: “The overarching vision is to develop an alternative accommodation offering in the form of a glamping style holiday site to encourage visitors from all walks of life.

“There are currently very few farm-based accommodation options which are suited to families. Traditional pubs and B&B’s are the most popular option for people staying in the area and with the current staycation boom there is a growing demand for holiday accommodation.”

The successful Wigwam Holidays franchise could run the site which it is hoped will create jobs and bring in additional income for the farm.

As well as permission to build seven wigwam cabins, the family are seeking approval for new access, an associated track and plumbing provision.

In their planning statement, the applicants said: “This project and the development of the Wigwam Holidays site seeks to provide a high quality glamping site in the Carlisle area. Whilst there are several camping sites in the area, there are few ‘glamping’ sites; a phenomenon that is rapidly growing in popularity.”

The project aims to boost the economy as well as the farm’s prospects.

“For every £1 spent on accommodation we estimate that £1 will be spent in the local economy.”

It is also hoped that Wigwam Holidays can help the Dixons develop “provide a sustainable development, sympathetic and complementary to the local environment.”