Plans for visitor centre and holiday cabins in Elsenham

Proposals include the visitor building with five number lodges and 10 cabins at the site of the historic parkland, which is off Hall Road and Church Lane in Elsenham.

The parkland was part of the land for the Grade II listed Elsenham Hall, which is currently for sale on Rightmove as a converted three-bedroom apartment.

Plans for some of the cabins (Image: New World Architecural/Elsenham Hall Park Ltd.) The site which the plans refer to is no longer within the same ownership and the firm behind the plans states the site has "suffered from a lack of management and maintenance".

Documents in the plans state the idea behind the application is to "restore and regenerate" the parkland with the new visitor centre building and associated leisure and tourist accommodation. 

Designs show there are set to be two kinds of cabins, with one type having one floor and including a one bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and lounge areas as well as an outdoor seating area which is covered over.

The other type of accommodation would be in a triangle shape with a mezzanine floor for a sitting area, with a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen area on the ground floor.

Designs for the visitor centre show there would be two toilets, a kitchenette area, three learning rooms and a casual seating area. The plans also show the lodges would have a bedroom and bath each.

How some of the cabins could look (Image: New World Architecural/Elsenham Hall Park Ltd.) The plans state: "It is proposed to restore and regenerate the historic parkland and lake, making it publicly accessible, and to erect a visitor building and five eco-lodges as well as 10 temporary tiny homes and or eco lodges for use as lakeside lodges, with associated parking and access.

"The visitor building will provide teaching facilities, learning areas, toilets and storage with five eco-lodges below.

"The proposed visitor building and lakeside lodges will not be visible from outside the site due to site levels and existing boundary treatment which is proposed to be retained.

"The Fishpond Lake, Parkland and Wooded areas are valued for their potential recreational and leisure opportunities, providing spaces for activities such as walking, cycling, picnicking, and nature observation.

"The management objectives will focus on ensuring safe and enjoyable access for visitors, while minimising the impact on wildlife and natural features.

"It will be necessary to plan and manage facilities such as footpaths, trails, viewpoints, information boards and picnic areas.

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"Access for different user groups should be considered and ensure appropriate infrastructure is put in place, as required.

"The restoration of the parkland will bring it back into beneficial use, conserving its future and opening it up to the public to benefit from.

"The restoration and proposed development on the site will also aid the rural economy providing jobs and visitors to the locality which is surrounded by existing tourist sites such as Daisy Mays Farm and the Elsenham Golf Club and Golf World."