A frustrated east Suffolk farm owner has described living in a beauty spot as a "double-edged sword" after withdrawing plans to provide ten 'wild glamping' tents due to residents' concerns about the environmental impact.

Jonathan Simper, who owns Lodge Farm at Ramsholt, near Woodbridge, had sought permission from East Suffolk Council to provide the tents on a seasonal basis from April to the end of October after a temporary campsite in the summer of 2020 proved to be popular with tourists.

However, the plans to provide the tourist accommodation, along with toilets and showers, have been ditched after the council received nearly 60 letters from neighbours, including some objecting on the basis that the development would have an adverse impact on an Area of Natural Beauty.

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A particular complaint raised in the responses was that the campsite "would be visible for miles around" and there were other camping areas nearby that were in less obtrusive locations.

In October, the EADT reported how the 110-acre asparagus farm - which has its own beach - had been put on the market as the owners sought to sell the land to fund a commercial fishing fleet.

The fishing venture was intended as a diversification for the owners and Mr Simper said he would now be focusing on this side of the business following the withdrawal of the glamping tent plans.

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He said some residents had spent money on land agents to oppose the plans, while he had spent 'thousands' on three attempts to get the plans through, with the latest bid representing a reduction in the number of tents on previous applications.

"We will have to come up with another plan, but it won't be that, I can tell you. It is a double-edged sword, living in an Area of Natural Beauty, but if you try to employ people and run businesses here, it is not suitable," Mr Simper added.

He described the fishing as the "most dangerous" side of the business, but it was "at least producing food and people do actually want the food, which is nice".