A popular farm shop has submitted plans for three glamping cabins to be built next door.

Algar Lodge Farm Shop and Cafe in Sandwich Road, Deal, has put forward an application to Dover District Council (DDC) seeking permission to build the cabins on the currently empty field behind the building.

The development promises to “provide high quality and sustainable short-let accommodation for all guests with on-site existing shop and easy access to Betteshanger Park”.

If approved, the cabins are set to be in use for guests from March to November for short- or long-term breaks.

Each cabin will measure 6.7m by 4.3m and will have a total height of 3m measured from ground level.

The farm shop, the former Old Lorry Farm Shop, was purchased by the Algar family in 2017.

Now the owners look to diversify an “established business helping to consolidate the ongoing viability of the existing shop”.

Within the planning documents, the applicants state: “It is expected that the proposed development will generate employment which will be at the start part-time employment for cleaning.

“Employment would be expected to grow as the site becomes more established.

“The cabins have been designed to allow self-catering comfortable stay of up to two guests. They will provide a living space containing a compact kitchen, a bedroom space with under bed storage, wardrobe, and a shower room.”

The shop is located near Betteshanger Country Park and the village of Shoulden.

Plans have also been lodged with DDC to create a new hotel and surf park at Betteshanger, a former colliery.

The 120-bed hotel, complete with a spa, was initially turned down by the authority, but a new, revised application has since been submitted by developers. The surf park has yet to be decided on.

The application for the glamping pods is currently awaiting decision by DDC.