A CLACKS estate is set to move into tourism after accommodation plans were approved by the council.

The Brucefield Estate near Forestmill was granted planning permission for the eight bothies, or small huts, at five location within its forestry area.

The bothies will be "used for short term holiday lets and are intended to provide a diversification of the existing estate business", according to documents attached to the planning application.

Clackmannanshire Council gave the development the green light earlier this month, with conditions.

A supporting design statement from the applicant said: "There are a wide range of objectives for the estate which include farming, timber production, long term residential lets, returning historic rural buildings to use, agri-environmental activities, wildlife management, and hospitality and tourism."

The approximately 425ha estate, which boasts around 185ha of woodland, lies between the A977 on the north and the A907on the south, around 5km east of Clackmannan.

Not all the bothies will be put in place straight away, as a business plan attached to the design statement added: "Brucefield Estate propose to start in the first year with two to four bothies in total, and potentially expand from there.

"It is intended all bothies will be available for holiday short stay lets occupancy 365 days of the year, however, the business plan reflects an anticipated 60 per cent (218 days) occupancy operational basis.

"They will not be available for let under a Private Residential Tenancy Agreement.

"This proposed responsible tourism accommodation scheme will help stimulate local economic activity for goods and services.

"It will encourage people to visit the area and be part of VisitScotland's Clackmannanshire offering.

"The Estate is renovating a byre (approx. 90sqm) to be used for rural events and workshops."

The bothies themselves will be "rustic, low impact and ecologically sustainable".

They will have a footprint of around 13sqm and include an upper sleeping area in the roof space, a small kitchen and toilet and a small wood burning stove is included.

Access to the bothies will be via Brucefield Road and existing farm and forestry tracks.

There were no representations from third parties, nor objections received related to the application.

Council documents added: "The development would increase the supply of quality visitor accommodation in Clackmannanshire and encourage more visitors to stay and spend money in the local area.

"This would contribute to both national and local tourism strategies."