PLANS have been drawn up to build holiday pods at an Elizabethan wedding venue after a soar in the number of people wanting to stay.

Newfoundland Lodges Ltd, based in Cumbria, want to erect 10 holiday pods at the historic Browsholme Hall, in Clitheroe Road, Clitheroe.

Browsholme Hall, which lies in the Forest of Bowland, is a Grade I listed historic house and has, since 1507, been the home of the Parker family.

If given the go ahead by Ribble Valley Council, the proposal will expand the accommodation offered at the wedding venue, which attracts over 10,000 visitors and over 60 weddings a year.

The accommodation will be guests at weddings and other functions and to ‘service’ tourism for the area.

The pods, which will be constructed from timber and situated in the woodland at the edge of the estate, cater to four adults per pod.

The applicant also said four additional full time staff will be required to service the holiday pods in the form of kitchen, cleaning, events, reception and ground staff from the existing Browsholme Hall reception.

The applicant Robert Parker, who co-owns Browsholme Hall, said: “They holiday pods are wonderful.

“They are curved and shaped like an upturned boat.

“Inside there is enough room for a double room and bedding, changing facilities along with a shower and a loo.

“It’s like a self contained hotel bedroom.

“We are looking at building one or two of the pods to make them accessible to help people with disabilities get in with ease.

“We would like to see more cyclists in the area and will provide bike racks for overnight stay.”

Amanda Parker, who also co-owns Browsholme Hall, said: “Tourism in Lancashire and the Ribble Valley is a significant part of the economy and there is a shortage of quality accommodation in the Ribble Valley.

“The concern is if we can’t find places for people to stay locally people they will look elsewhere.

“To help boost tourism in the area we have decided to build 10 micro lodges.

“This will provide extra luxury accommodation and are completely self sustainable in terms of power, electricity and heat.

“This type of accommodation will the first of its kind on the site and will be the only non stone built unit on our site.

“While these huts are bigger than normal huts they will actually fit in better with the landscape.

“There has been huge interest already from guests and people in the area who are excited to find out more.”