A Rutland farm plans a move into tourism, with natural attractions playing a major role.

Kirsty Brooks and Clare Farmer want to build three wooden moveable pods, two shepherds huts and on-site facilities pod and Reception hut, plus a badger/nature hide at Brooks Farm, Belton-in Rutland.

Their planning application to Rutland County Council says the holiday huts and pods on 0.97ha of grazing land would each sleep up to four people.

There would also be a shower block, grass and wooden decking areas for people to enjoy the peace of the surroundings, and a 1m limestone track for access between the pods and a car park.

The site is less than half-a-mile from Belton-in-Rutland and close to footpaths and cycling routes.

The application continued: "The proposed field area around the holiday pods/huts and facilities will retain the existing natural setting to ensure it sits within the surrounding landscape which is a key attraction for the site.

"New native planting will consist of Oak, Rowan and Ash. Oak, Ash and Willow trees with Hawthorne, blackthorn, blackberry and crabapple hedging will be maintained around the field to encourage local wildlife.

"Birdboxes, owl and bat boxes will be installed to encourage local birds and the brook will continue to encourage smaller mammals as a habitat.

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"The grassland will be left uncut (apart from occasional maintenance) to encourage wildlife, some pedestrian grass tracks will be mowed around the pods, huts and facilities.

"The remaining 10 acres of surrounding land will continue to be used as grazing land for a variety of animals and to encourage native wildlife, flora and fauna to the area."

Recommending approval, the application added the application met council policies in supporting tourism, it would help local businesses, was an acceptable use of the farm and would not harm the character of the area.

Rutland County Council will determine the application at a later date.