A new seasonal camp-site could be built near a Somerset doctors' surgery in a bid to attract more tourists to the local area.

Robert and Amanda Miles have applied for permission to site six bell tents on land south of the Oakhill Surgery, which serves patients in the village of Oakhill near Shepton Mallet. The couple intends for the tents to welcome visitors between May and October each year, with showers and compost toilets being provided on site.

Mendip District Council is expected to make a decision on the proposals before the end of the year. The site lies at the eastern edge of the village, south of the Pondsmead nursing homes and a short walk from The Oakhill Inn.

Access would be from the A367 Bath Road, with at least six parking spaces being provided and visitors reaching the tents via mown paths. The six bell tents will be divided into three clusters of two tents around the Fish Ponds, with each cluster being served by a shower shed and compost toilet.

The site is expected to create up to two full-time jobs, as well as a further three part-time positions. A spokesman for Whiteacre Planning said the couple had successfully run "creativity and well-being retreats" in Barnet in north London before relocating to the south west.

They added: "The applicants wish to change the use of a small amount of land within the old pleasure garden south of The Beeches to run a small, glamping enterprise. This would be a seasonal enterprise operating from May to October each year.

Map showing the location of the proposed campsite

"Outside the glamping season, the bell tents will be taken down and stored until the following spring. Additional native species planting is proposed to provide both enhanced screening of the tents once in situ and to contribute to biodiversity gain.

"The proposal includes goat willow, field maple and hazel to provide screening. The applicants have already planted oak, alder and hazel (about 100 trees), some birch trees, conifers and buddleia.

"They are also working hard on the management of the woodland." William McEwan, who lives in the village, has objected to the plans, citing noise concerns when the land was previously camped upon.

He said: "The management plan states that there will be curfews and lights out at dusk limiting noise and light pollution. However, from experience of the tents in operation in 2021, this is not the case, and frequent noise associated with drinking, merriment and conversation was apparent as the surrounding areas are extremely quiet normally.

"The additional footfall, which is inevitable from frequent changeovers, maintenance and guest movements, will cause disturbance to the adjacent residential properties and their residents." The council is expected to make a ruling on the proposals before Christmas, though it is not presently clear whether the decision will be made in public by the planning board or through the delegated powers of its planning officers.