The farm an hour from Manchester where people will soon be able to glamp with Alpacas

An alpaca farm less than an hour's drive from Manchester is planning to build glamping pods, giving families the chance to stay over for a short getaway. Lowland Farm, in Westby With Plumptons, Lancashire, already offers visits and farm experiences to families and SEND children.

Now, the family-run businesses hopes to expand its offerings, reports LancsLive. Plans have been submitted to Fylde Borough Council for overnight accommodation on the site.

The farm, located near Blackpool and Lytham St Annes, covers 50 acres of grassland. It also produces hay to feed its animals, which include ponies, donkeys, sheep, chickens and, of course, alpacas. Visitors can meet the alpacas such as Hugo, Herbert, Hector and Huckleberry, attend craft sessions and children's parties, or head out on therapeutic walks.

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According to the planning application, owners Mr and Mrs Traynor want to instal five glamping pods on the farm. A report submitted with the application explains the small enterprise has grown in size steadily over the last decade, with alpaca numbers increasing from three to more than 50.

It says: "The alpacas are farmed for their fleece but in addition, now form part of a ‘farm experience’. The enterprise is now committed to a programme of introducing and increasing the numbers of specialist breeds. Following requests from parents, children of school age started visiting the working farm to allow them to gain an understanding of rural life and encourage their social skills.

"This led onto educational establishments requesting that groups of children attend for education and therapy visits. There are now a number of establishments which bring groups of