Plans for new lodges for Eden Barn wedding guests in Little Musgrave

The application outlines the construction of lodge units to provide accommodation primarily for guests attending weddings at Eden Barn.

It was submitted to Westmorland & Furness' planning authority on April 24, on behalf of Mr Harker. 

Situated approximately 250 metres south of Eden Barn, each unit is proposed to be 5.44m high. 

If given the go-ahead, each will include a bedroom, a mezzanine sleeping area, a bathroom, a storeroom, and an open plan living area/kitchen.

Westmorland and Furness' Planning Portal (Image: Westmorland and Furness' Planning Portal)

The proposal, which comes with fifteen car parking spaces, seeks to bring 5 new part-time employees onboard. 

The site is currently used for agricultural purposes, specifically sheep grazing. 

The proposal is said to "form part of a farm diversification scheme".

"Eden Barn (which is a wedding venue operating on/from Musgrave Hall Farm) is a diversification scheme that has uplifted the rural economy in and around Musgrave Parish and provided work for up to 50 local people.

"Eden Barn also benefits many local independent businesses and suppliers which together provide catering, entertainment, photography, floristry and transport services for its clients and their guests.

"It makes an invaluable contribution to the local rural economy, bringing up to 200 people into the area per wedding, and has hosted around 50,000 guests since it opened in May 2016.

"In 2023 it held 90 events over a 9 month period, and up to four weddings per week.

"Providing on-site accommodation for guests would help to facilitate business continuity and ensure that Eden Barn remains self-sustainable and viable over the longer-term.

"This would in turn safeguard and bolster the economic benefits it provides to local businesses, employees, suppliers, and the wider rural economy," the application states. 

It is said their contemporary barn-like design pays homage to the agricultural character of the local landscape, with plans to retain the established native trees and hedgerows around the site to provide natural screening, ensuring "that the proposed development would not cause harm to the natural environment". 

Addressing potential concerns about increased vehicular traffic, the proposal emphasises that overnight accommodations will alleviate congestion by spreading departures over an extended period.