Great balls of fun in the Cotswolds
SphereMania is hoping to expand its site at Sweetslade Farm, on the Fosseway near Bourton-on-the-Water, to give more people the chance to try out 'zorbing'.
Those who take part are strapped into a clear inflatable ball and rolled down a hill.
But neighbours fear if the firm increases its operation it will ruin the tranquility of the countryside.
SphereMania, which has 15 locations across the UK and has used the Bourton spot for two summers, wants to cash in on its growing popularity.
Managing director Robert Price said the pastime had attracted Zara Phillips and boyfriend Mike Tindall.
"It's fantastic fun. It's become really popular. We've had lots of stars, including footballers and TV presenters," he said. "My wife and I are both Christians and we started this 11 years ago to support missionary work in Africa and to build schools in India. We also aid Romanian orphanages.
"Our ethos is not one of bulldozing farms down and bringing in huge centres as we do our best to work with the environment. When we've packed up you wouldn't know we had been there."
SphereMania has applied to Cotswold District Council for a seasonal change of use of the agricultural land, to zorb from 8am to 8pm on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays, convert a barn for facilities, put up a temporary building, upgrade access and build a car park.
Mr Price, who worked in agriculture for 22 years selling milking machines, said the sport was environmentally friendly, quiet, employed local people and brought in visitors.
He said: "We've sound tested with proper meters and a sheep's baa or a cow's moo registers much higher than someone's screams in a ball.
"We'll have total control over how many cars come in as we can do six rolls an hour, which is six cars maximum, so it's not like 100 people turning up and it's £60 a roll so it's people who are quite serious.
"We can operate there for 28 days anyway, but we want to formalise this and go for proper signage and access.
"We'll also bring employment into the area and give good pay and training to 18 to 22-year-olds, attract people who will spend money in Bourton and we've worked closely with the community so as not to upset anyone."
Caroline Heininger, who lives at the bottom of the hill, raised concerns at a meeting of Bourton Parish Council.
She said: "The first year it wasn't so bad and quite amusing hearing squeals as people rolled down the hill.
"But last year it was much worse and now they have two balls pulled back up by trailers, so you have lots of rattle, rattle. They did it for at least 47 days last year. I can sit in my garden watching it. My family and I have to take this quite seriously because this impacts on our life.
"With the sort of intensification proposed there will be no control of what can go on there."
Parish council chairman Bryan Sumner said the company could be "flouting" planning law, which allows land to be used for any purpose for 28 days a year.
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