Provision of 6 safari style glamping units
with associated development including engineering operations.
LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Annwen Daniels
Link to relevant background documents
Minutes:
Provide
six glamping units of a safari type along with additional developments
including engineering work.
(a) The Development Control Officer elaborated on the background of the
application, noting that the site was on high and mountainous land within the
extensive Llechwedd site, which included the quarry's
historical slate works, and more recently the recreational developments of Zip
World and the Antur 'Stiniog
mountain biking paths.
Attention was drawn to the fact that
the existing site was open and mountainous land on a relatively steep slope
with a disused quarry hole nearby. The proposal involved cutting into the land
in places and using the soil to fill nearby and create level terraces in order
to install the tents. The visitors would use existing car parks within the main
Llechwedd area and would be transported to the tents
by small vehicles.
It was noted that this type of camping
was considered as permanent alternative camping accommodation and consequently
had to comply with the requirements of the relevant policies.
Reference was made
to other planning considerations within the report, including the extant
planning permission to work the quarry located very close to the site. Should
this happen, the proposal would not be acceptable therefore the importance of
imposing a condition to ensure that the glamping use would cease should the
quarry works become too close was noted.
However, by imposing appropriate conditions, it was considered that the
proposal was acceptable and it was recommended to approve the application in
accordance with relevant planning conditions.
(b) The Local Member expressed support to the application with the following
main points:
·
That the units were
unique to the area
·
That the tourists coming
to the area would need all types of camping provisions
·
that Llechwedd was an
excellent centre in the area that collaborated with Antur
'Stiniog, Zip World, Bounce Below - which offered
all-weather and educational facilities, and were good examples of how to create
employment in the countryside
·
had invested substantial
money in the centre and employed 60 with 200 employed over the summer season
·
that the enterprise that
would be the subject of the application would create three additional jobs that
was very important to the area
·
that there was no local
objection to the development
(c)
It was proposed and seconded to approve the
application.
(ch) In response to an observation made regarding
the development’s impact on the bluebells on the plot in question, the
Development Control Officer noted that no objection had been received from the
Biodiversity Unit.
Resolved:
To approve subject to the following conditions:
1. Time
2. Compliance with plans
3. Colour of the canvas to be agreed
4. Landscaping
5. Biodiversity
6. Restrict the number of units on the site to
six at any given time
7. Restrict the holiday season/use
8. Holiday use only
9. Keep a register
10. No use of the tents if work associated with Twll Bôn Llechwedd
is commenced
11. Submit and agree on a dust management plan
12. Boundary treatments to be agreed prior to
occupation
13. To submit and agree on a parking management
plan
Note
to the applicant about Bluebells.
Supporting documents: