A farming family is hoping to offer people the chance to enjoy the “picturesque countryside” while staying in new shepherd huts on their farm.

Plans have been put forward to set up three new shepherd huts at Willow Grange Farm, based off Ely Road in Chittering.

Fiona Dunne, who submitted the proposals to South Cambridgeshire District Council, said offering tourist accommodation would help support the farm all year round.

The plans said the farm had been owned by the family for over 90 years and would remain a livestock farm even if the application was approved.

However, the family said the new shepherd huts would help the farm to diversify its income and provide year round support for the business, by making use of an “underutilised” paddock on the farm.

They said there was increasing demand from tourists for places to stay in rural areas, adding that the shepherd huts would help to meet that demand.

The plans said: “There is significant demand in this location, being in a picturesque countryside location on a well-established county farm, with good travel links and situated between the large populations of Cambridge and Ely.

“[The shepherd huts] will provide successful vibrant tourist accommodation in a sustainable location, providing an appropriate means of diversification of an existing business, being Willow Grange Farm.

“The site is in close proximity to a large and growing population, with good transport links by bicycle, via car and train.

“The development will provide diverse tourist accommodation, supporting local employment and surrounding businesses, thus the local economy as a result.

“The proposed development has been well-designed to be in keeping with the surrounding landscape character.”

The proposals for the new shepherd huts will need to be considered by the district council as the planning authority, which will make the decision on whether the plans can go ahead.