11-08-2025
Holiday lodges get go-ahead despite neighbours' anger
Holiday lodges get go-ahead despite neighbours' anger
The lodges are set to be built 68 metres from the nearest house
The site off Station Road, Llanwrtyd Wells, where three holiday lodges can be built
(Image: Google)
Controversial plans for tourist accommodation have been given the green light. The scheme, from a Mr G Davies, will see three holiday lodges built on land south of Station Road in Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys.
The "farm diversification project" includes a sewage treatment plant as well as three timber-clad two-bedroom lodges, each 13 metres in length, 6.1 metres in width and 3.9 metres in height. It was met with 35 objections over issues including noise nuisance, parking, the being "out of keeping with the character of the area", and how close the site is to people's homes. It is not the only hotly-debated Welsh planning application to hit headlines recently.
Planning agent Richard Corbett said: "Mr Davies would like to offer a unique holiday experience, allowing visitors to relax and escape in this rural setting." For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter .
He added: 'The proposal has been sited on grazed land to the south of Lasswade House Hotel and benefits from the ability to screen the proposed lodges from the surrounding views and ensure visitors have total privacy.
'Llanwrtyd Wells may be Britain's smallest town, but it punches well above its weight when it comes to history, music and culture. The area has excellent nearby attractions including Elan Valley, Brecon Beacons, museums, and plenty more.'
Mr Corbett stressed that tourism makes a 'substantial contribution' to the Powys economy and supports over 12,300 jobs in the county.
He went on: 'With rising uncertainty in rural businesses, diversification offers a way of supplementing incomes and improving the economic viability of a rural business.'
Addressing the objections, council planning officer Catherine James said the lodges would be 68 metres away from the nearest house.
Ms James said: 'At this distance loss of privacy is minimal particularly if landscaping is put in place. It is recommended that a condition be attached requiring additional landscaping to mitigate any adverse impacts.
'With regard to noise, it is acknowledged that use of such lodges may have a different pattern of use to normal residential use.
'However, they would be for a restricted residential use, and the lodges are for two-bedroom units only, which limits the number of people using them at any time.'
Concluding the application complied with policy, she granted conditional consent.
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Before any building work can take place, a sustainable drainage application needs to be submitted and approved by the council.
Llanwrtyd Wells town council raised no objections to the proposal.
