A BID to bring luxury camping with a medieval flavour to Usk Castle will be discussed by Monmouthshire Council next week.

A proposal to create a small ‘glamping’ site on land outside the walls of Usk Castle for a trial period between April and September was lodged with the council by Thomas Humphreys, of Castle House, Monmouth Road, Usk.

The scheme would accommodate five medieval-style tents for up to 22 visitors to the castle.The site, on an area known as the bowling green, is used as a paddock for grazing horses and a building yard for castle repairs.

It would replicate a medieval encampment but incorporate modern comforts such as a cooking area and toilet and shower block.

The tents measure 22ft by 13ft and are 12ft 2in tall, and would be supplied by Heritage Tents, which has 175 years of experience in producing canvas pavilions.

Usk Castle is one of a few privately owned castles in the country and attracts 5,000 visitors a year.

Mr Humphreys says the tents would be available for use at the Usk Festival and for other groups such as pageant groups. He said it would bring investment to restaurants, pubs, grocery stores and farmers’ markets in the area.

Residents were initially concerned about the level of noise from the site when the application was submitted – but this was later amended requesting a trial period of one year following discussions with the council’s Environmental Health department.

Cadw, the Welsh historic monuments body, has no objections to the proposal and the council’s planning officer recommends approval.

The planning committee will discuss the proposal on January 8.