A ‘glamping’ site with ‘hobbit houses’ could be built at the former Mooseheart hotel in Winscombe.

Teyaz Properties Ltd wants to transform the existing guesthouse into a boutique hotel and spa, with a glamping site featuring subterranean hobbit houses and 22 homes.

Offices on the site would be turned into three holiday lets and the gatehouse would become staff accommodation.

The developer has not submitted a planning application, but it has applied to North Somerset Council to find out whether an environmental impact assessment is required.

The report states: “The development will be focussed on minimising its carbon footprint by incorporating eco-friendly design into the proposals and it will restore the important architectural features of the existing buildings, removing modern features that detract from the site’s historic character, and restore the site’s lost formal gardens.”

The proposal includes enhancements to Mooseheart Wood and a new pedestrian footpath linking Knapps Drive to the hotel building.

In its report, the developer states: “The site currently comprises a vacant former guesthouse.

“The proposals provide for a viable development which is cross-subsidised by the proposed housing.

“There will be overwhelming benefits of bringing the site back into active use by protecting this historic site in the long term and by providing new facilities and job opportunities to the community.

“It will have an eco-friendly focus and will re-establish, where possible, the former architectural and landscape merit of the site.

“The new housing is proposed in the least sensitive part of the site, adjacent to the settlement boundary at the edge of the AONB.

“Proposed works elsewhere across the site make use of the existing building and by providing a subterranean style glamping area which has minimal impact on the landscape.”

More: Weston Hospicecare sells former Mooseheart hotel.

The building was previously owned by Weston Hospicecare, but the charity sold the building in March this year after a detailed consultation with staff and supporters revealed people were keen to access care at home, rather than in a bigger building with more beds.