New holiday lodges plan for Drove Orchards at Thornham

Drove Orchards and Wild Luxury has applied for planning permission to build five lodges at its site at Thornham, near Hunstanton.

The estate is owned by Andrew Jamieson, deputy leader of Norfolk County Council, whose family has owned the farm for more than 100 years.

A planning  statement says: "Over this time, it has evolved to include arable, livestock and fruit farming, food and drink production, retail, hospitality and environmental conservation."

It adds the site is home to 30 businesses, which employ 60 full-time and 40 part-time staff.

"A good example of this is the Drove Orchards glamping retreat, an offering that this proposal seeks to expand," it says.

"The current offering consists of 11 safari lodges located across the farm with three located in an adjacent field to the proposed."

One of the existing safari lodges at Drove Orchards, at Thornham (Image: Ian Burt)

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The statement says there is currently "excess demand for these lodges", with many requests coming from guests to stay on the farm during the winter, when the units are shut.

It is applying to build five extra lodges which can be operated all year round.

The statement says the "economically sustainable" business has operated for more than 10 years, during which time it has experienced no issues with regard to access problems, noise, health and safety or pollution.

It adds now some of its customers no longer want a "back to basics experience" staying in a canvas lodge with wood burning stove, but are looking for a nature-based experience which incorporates luxury bathrooms, electricity and internet access, so they can work remotely whilst on holiday.

The statement concludes the lodges will have "a positive effect on the other businesses trading at Drove Orchards, as well as those further afield".