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The applicant is looking to provide visitors with 'modest accommodation in a quiet rural location'

A plant nursery which operates fishing lakes wants to add holiday cabins to provide an "off-grid" campsite for those "seeking a peaceful countryside retreat". Three Lakes Nurseries has applied to install six converted shipping containers near its fishing lakes off Meadowgate Lane at Emneth, near Wisbech.

The applicant, Mr Crane, has requested permission to provide six holiday cabins offering "modest" one-bedroom units - each sleeping a maximum of two people. The business, which specialises in growing seasonal brassica produce, has been run by Mr Crane for more than 20 years.

The land was purchased from the College of West Anglia which ran a training base from the site, providing training in horticultural and equine practice and management.

The applicant said the campsite would provide "modest accommodation in a quiet rural location, and would attract those seeking a peaceful countryside retreat for quiet recreational enjoyment". This includes those who enjoy walking, fishing, cycling and birdwatching.

The converted shipping containers would be clad in timber, be fitted with solar panels and include a bedroom, cooking and bathroom facilities alongside a composting toilet. The proposed holiday cabins would provide short-stay accommodation for visitors to the area.

The business operates a planting and crop rotation between February and November each year. However, during the winter period, "income is significantly depleted and employee activities accordingly reduced".

The nursery supplies produce to Chinese restaurants in the Midlands, with Mr Crane transporting the produce himself twice weekly. The addition of the holiday cabins would allow the site to to diversify, and provide a steady income during the winter months.

The proposals claim the "modest" tourist facility would attract visitors, as an increasing number seek out rural retreats, adding the site is "ideal" for the intended purpose.

However, not everyone believes this to be true as one objector questioned the "bizarre" site for holiday cabins. They asked: "How can we be sure the cabins will be used for short-term holiday use?"