They are a cross between log cabins and Bilbo Baggins' home in The Hobbit.

Eastern Daily Press: An artist's impression of the new glamping pods. Image: Courtesy Luke PatersonAn artist's impression of the new glamping pods. Image: Courtesy Luke Paterson (Image: Archant)

And soon, these glamping pods could appear on the banks of a historic stretch of Norfolk canal.

The Broads Authority's planning committee recently approved an application by farmer Luke Paterson to build 10 glamping pods along the North Walsham and Dilham Canal near Dilham village.

The development, which forms part of a farm diversification project, will see the construction of the English cedar clad glamping pods along a 400m stretch of the farm's canal.

The site is accessed along Oak Road and lies between Oak Farm and the North Walsham and Dilham Canal.

Eastern Daily Press: The site for the new glamping development along the North Walsham and Dilham Canal. Picture: Courtesy Luke PatersonThe site for the new glamping development along the North Walsham and Dilham Canal. Picture: Courtesy Luke Paterson (Image: Archant)

In the past the farm has received funding from the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) but this is due to come to an end after Britain exits the EU.

In his application, Mr Paterson said the glamping project was a form of farm diversification that would replace the lost funds.

The farm currently manages 380ha of land and the proposed glamping site would use less than one hectare of land.

Two designs of pods have been proposed and they will be located at 40m intervals to provide privacy for holidaymakers.

Eastern Daily Press: The site for the new glamping development along the North Walsham and Dilham Canal. Picture: Courtesy Luke PatersonThe site for the new glamping development along the North Walsham and Dilham Canal. Picture: Courtesy Luke Paterson (Image: Archant)

The pods, which will have water and electricity supply, will be set back 20m from the canal and will be available to hire year round. The development will include a car park while bikes and canoes will be made available to hire.

In total 13 representations were received, seven of which supported the application, saying it would help support the rural economy, while six raised an objection over impacts on the highway network, residential amenity, landscape and ecology.

The Broads Authority found the proposal for the development 'acceptable'. 'Whilst there are landscape impacts these are not considered to be of such a magnitude as to justify a refusal of planning permission, and there are also benefits to the rural economy,' planning officers said in a report.

Mr Paterson said it was 'fantastic' that the National Planning Policy Framework supported farmers looking to diversify.

He has applied for a LEADER grant to fund the development and hopes to have an answer by the end of the month.