A Cumbrian farm which is at the forefront of diversification has revealed a bid to create seven holiday lodges on its land.
Basecamp North Lakes, at Troutbeck between Penrith and Keswick on the A66, wants to build seven huts.
It has applied to the Lake District National Park Authority for permission.
Basecamp North Lakes includes 150 acres of land used for farming primarily alpacas and llamas, and chickens, farmhouse and annexe, and a large shed incorporating a farm shop and café.
Permission for the farm shop and cafe was granted in 2023.
Now, it wants to introduce seven timber-clad huts along the eastern shore of the existing man-made pond.
Each hut would have a decked area, waste recycling area, and parking space, with three parking spaces provided.
Basecamp North Lakes said: “The benefits to the business will come through an increased and diversified revenue stream.
“Whilst there will be an initial outlay for the huts, the plan is that the huts will then be let out to generate an income that can be used to pay back that original outlay and/or invest into other aspects of the diversified farm business.
“The huts have been designed to be occupied all year round and will provide a unique accommodation offering in the Lake District.”
The application has already had letters of support and in a message on social media, Basecamp North Lakes said: “Since taking on Basecamp Farm we’ve had our fair share of battles.
“In our very first month, our electric bill jumped from £3,000 to £12,000 thanks to the energy crisis.
“Combine this with an ongoing cost of living crisis and it’s been a fight to keep things going.
“That’s why diversification matters – these seven eco-friendly cabins aren’t just a new idea, they’re the key to securing the future of the farm and everything we do here.”
Over £1 million has been invested into the farm shop and Basecamp North Lakes employs 50 people.
It said its long-term aims were:
- Expand egg production and develop sustainable and commercially appealing packaging and marketing.
- Community Produce Garden developed to include mycology, hydroponics and vertical growing in order to expand the offering of fresh fruit and vegetables to the local area, and contribute towards our farm shop’s food mile goals.
- Continue to forge relationships with local farms to further our butchery development in terms of welfare and sustainability
- Carbon reduction expanded via renewable energy solutions and building improvements.
- Continue achieving compliance with building regulations and improve working conditions for staff through phased improvements to existing structures.
- Expand trade offering to small businesses within the county
- Land management maximised to continue to expand our environmental and community impact.
- Species reintroduction expanded with habitat creation and restoration.
- Small scale sustainable glamping accommodation offered to provide financial support to the existing businesses and impact projects.
- Facilitate Alpacaly Ever After to accommodate social enterprise activities on site by improving inclusive mobility access.
- Provide educational and engaging public access to the new wetland areas closest to the farm shop to increase public engagement with sustainable land management and farming practice
