CANNON Hall Farm plans to double its workforce to 300.

The jobs will come if its gets the go-ahead for a major planning application at the farm near Cawthorne.

The proposed scheme aims to include a new farm shop, farmyard, indoor play area and a school visitor centre.

The scheme aims to increase employment from 160 staff to more than 300.

Managing director Robert Nicholson said the application was part of a five-year plan set to cost £5m.

“It shows our ambition and determination to make Cannon Hall Farm a tourist attraction of national significance and help to put our area on the map,” he said.

The farm has just been voted Best Tourism Experience of the Year. It received recognition for its 2010 pumpkin festival and also for the “lambing live” which ran earlier this year. The accolade was made at Welcome to Yorkshire White Rose Awards.

More than 1,000 people attended the awards at Doncaster Racecourse and other finalists included Lightwater Valley, Magna and Harrogate Spa.

Mr Nicholson said: “It’s down to the hard work of our brilliant team of staff and we are determined to do Yorkshire proud in the Visit England Awards for Excellence in 2012.”