A CARAVAN park looks set to expand after a plan to build more glamping pitches has been recommended for approval when councillors when meet later this week.

The plan to create more holiday lodges and glamping pitches at Hyde Farm in Pinvin near Pershore would see 15 more holiday lodges and 10 glamping pitches built alongside the 15 caravan pitches, 15 touring caravan pitches and three glamping pods which already have permission to be built.

A wildlife lake would also be built and an orchard planted, if the plans are approved.

Drakes Broughton and Wadborough Parish Council has said the plan should be refused as it would be a "significant departure" from a small tourism site to a large holiday destination.

The refusal submitted by the parish council said: "The parish council supported the original application after the applicant made access to the site considerably safer.

"The South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP) is clear and supports smaller sites of under 10 units."

A plan for 15 pitches was refused in 2015 and then approved in 2016. Further expansion plans were approved in April last year before the current plan was put forward.

A report by Wychavon District Council's planning officers, which recommends the plan should be approved, said allowing the expansion to go ahead would add value to the land and would support the local economy.

"The site lies in open countryside, although is within a reasonable distance of Pershore and its facilities," it said.

"The lack of connecting dedicated cycling and walking routes means, however, that visitors are likely to use vehicles to access services and facilities off-site. Nevertheless, it is not unusual for holiday accommodation to be sited on the edge of villages or even in open countryside and the council has previously twice granted consent for tourist facilities on the site.

"The proposal accords with relevant policies relating to the provision of this type of holiday accommodation, which offers benefits in terms of generating tourism and supporting the local economy.

"The site can be adequately landscaped and its ecological value increased. There are also no technical objections on highways or drainage/flooding grounds. In summary, the scheme is considered to be acceptable and it is recommended that the application be approved."

The council's planning committee meets virtually from 2pm on Thursday (June 25).