A bid to build a "luxury" glamping site that developers say will be among the best in Kent has been given the go-ahead.

Bosses from Mount Ephraim House in Hernhill, near Faversham, expect work to begin on the four pods - which will be equipped with wood-fired hot tubs and log burners - in the coming weeks.

The site will be located within the stately home's 10-acre grounds, close to its arboretum and water gardens.

Papers lodged by the Dawes family, who own the plot, show they are hoping to capitalise on glamping's growing popularity.

"The concept of luxury glamping is now gaining popularity throughout the UK, with standards and guests’ expectations on the rise," planning documents say.

"It is intended that this site will be among the best available in the area."

The historic house has been the Dawes family's home since 1695.

This isn’t their first foray into hospitality as they have been renting out a wing of the property - which sleeps up to 12 people - to holidaymakers since 2019.

But with a member of the family set to return to the residence, they are turning to glamping cabins to house their guests.

Lucy Dawes, who runs Mount Ephraim Gardens, said: “We were thrilled to get planning permission granted this week for the timber pod glamping site.

“It will be in a brilliant location for exploring the grounds, and all visitors will have the freedom to enjoy the gardens outside of normal opening hours.

“We are keeping the site intimate with just four pods, as we hope to attract groups of friends and larger families to take over the whole site.”

Ms Dawes plans to start taking bookings for the first two huts this summer, with the other two set to be installed next year.

Each of the pods, which will sleep up to four people, will have a kitchen, en-suite bathroom, double bed and living room.

Because the work has not been completed, Ms Dawes says she is unable to confirm how much it will cost to book a stay.

Mount Ephraim Gardens are set to reopen to visitors at the start of April, having been shut for the winter.