A celebrated Cotswold pub dating back to 1670 is hoping that a bid for on-trend glamping accommodation will be granted – if planners agree to new shepherd's huts at the venue.

A statement from FB Heritage submitted to Stroud District Council is requesting two huts as sleepover quarters for guests in the beer garden of the Butcher's Arms, which nestles on Damsell's Lane in the picturesque village of Sheepscombe. 

The Grade II-listed 'bar and dining' pub currently has no accommodation offer and directs guests to two nearby farms for glamping and B&B.

A thirst-inducing stroll from Slad, the pub enjoys the tourism glow of being in Laurie Lee country. It changed hands two years ago after it was marketed for £850,000 and is now part of the Hartstone Inns group of eight destination pubs, whose portfolio includes the Anchor Inn at Tintern and the Charlcombe Inn, at Bath's race course.

Historically, the pub supplied Godsell's Ale, from nearby Stroud, until the firm, which archive records show owned the pub  in 1891, was bought by Stroud Brewery. The latter took over the pub in 1931. Butchering went on at the site - and hence its name - during Henry VIII's reign as the monarch hunted deer in the Sheepscombe valley.

If approved, the two huts, providing 22 sq m of internal space, will sit in the eastern side of the property and occupy some of its beer garden in a section which, the pub says, is not so popular for summer visitors.

The timber-framed buildings, supplied by Somerset-based Blackdown Shepherd Huts, will have black, corrugated roofs and be finished in corrugated panelling of "muted tones". The maker's website lists the proposed model of hut, the Quercus, at prices from £24,000 each plus VAT. Their arrival would not affect car parking at the pub, which has space for nine cars, but new cycle parking would also be created.

Agreement from SDC will also enable the creation of two part-time jobs, the pub says, boosting its total employment team to 10.

Painswick Parish Council has been asked for its views and given until March 25th for comment.

Witney-based Red Sky Shepherd's huts, which famously supplied a bespoke hut to former prime minister David Cameron, recently reported that trade demand for huts was brisk.

A spokesman said that the huts made "the perfect staycation base" and added: "Alongside the joy that shepherd's huts can bring through personal use, they can also become an extremely rewarding investment."

Elsewhere, demand for shepherd's huts as year-round glamping accommodation is reported to be rising. With shepherd's hut options a key drivers, Statista forecasts that the camping sector, in the UK will this year generate a revenue of US$0.99bn.

In November last year, Slimbridge Wildlife and Wetlands Reserve requested new hut accommodation for guests, while in January, the Foston's Ash near Birdlip made a retrospective application for shepherd's huts installed without permission at the pub.