New caravan park near Pwllheli get the go ahead

A bid to build 33 touring caravans and two glamping pods near a popular North Wales seaside town has been given the green light. Proposals for a change of use of farmland near Pwllheli was approved by Cyngor Gwynedd's planning committee on Monday (November 18.)

The plans included building well-being facilities, a toilet block, shower block and storage and associated access arrangements, a footpath link to Ffordd Abererch, drainage and landscaping. The application had been made by James Tongue through agent Steve Grimster, of Grimster Planning, and concerned land at Allt Fawr, Lôn Nant-Stigallt.

The caravan park will be situated on a small, rocky hill in open countryside on the outskirts of Pwllheli between the A497 and the A499. Although the scheme prompted some "strong feelings" - it was thought by planning officers "not to have a substantial impact on the landscape, amenities of the neighbourhood, biodiversity or road safety".

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It was considered "acceptable" and the committee members were recommended to "approve with conditions". Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter.

The applicant told the meeting that he had been "looking forward" to running the new enterprise with his wife and children. Retired from the police, he said the business would provide holiday accommodation, an income and also provide employment locally.

"By creating the enterprise means I am able to stay working close by to the family" he said.

It would also help generate revenue, keep the land managed, help promote the area whilst reducing demand on air bnbs whilst "facilitating an injection into the local economy," he said. "I hope you will see our vision and support our plans," he added.

Llannor Community Council had recommended refusal due to traffic concerns, "especially with the new Aldi development and the possibility of a housing development in the future on nearby land". It also cited "over-development leading to financial loss for other tourism providers in the area and losing green space when entering Pwllheli".

Cllr Elin Hywel said the application had prompted some "strong feelings" locally. Among concerns raised had been the nearby road which was "narrow and winding," she said. It had been felt the road was "dangerous especially for vehicles towing caravans."

She added: "People living at the foot of the hill have also raised concerns over safety and had indicated incidences in the past "including where sheep had fallen off a cliff."

But she added that the applicant was "a local man with a Welsh speaking family. They have created a development here, a business to generate an income to support the family and employees.

She felt they have "put a lot of thought into how they can be community and environmentally friendly" and had "thought how they can be kind to our community and provide sustainable tourism," she said.

"We have a lot of tourism in the summer but the question for us is do we want to declare no more developments, or agree to those which are healthy and respects what we would like to see."

Concerning the road issues, a planning officer stated that Cyngor Gwynedd ’s traffic unit intends to implement a one-way system southward along Lôn Nant-Stigallt. It had also insisted, among the conditions, the applicant must provide passing places or restrictions on the road.

Cllr Edgar Wyn Owen stated: "One minute we shout we don't want more caravans and in other places we do....

But conceding that the site was concealed, he added "If you do want a caravan site in Penllyn, then this is probably the most ideal site," he added.

Approving the plan was proposed by Anne Lloyd Jones, seconded by John Pughe Roberts and it was passed with 11 votes in favour, two against and no abstentions.

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