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Powys County Times
23-05-2025
- General
- Powys County Times
Gwynedd Council rejects camping pods bid despite support
A plan to site five glamping pods as part of a Welsh farming family's diversification plan has been turned down despite strong support from some members. Cyngor Gwynedd's planning committee rejected an application to change the use of land and develop a small scale holiday development on an area known as Pandy fields in Corris. The proposal for the permanent pods and associated parking was rejected, in line with the council's planning officer's recommendations. The application had been made by Maisie Sandells, through the agent Dafydd Tomos, of George and Tomos Penserei (Architects). The application had been deferred from the council's Monday, April 28 planning committee meeting for a site visit. The proposal had been part of a diversification project for a 120-hectare livestock business by H.B Sandells and Sons Farm. Council planners said the application was 'not acceptable' as it created a new, permanent alternative camping accommodation within a Special Landscape Area. They said it was also 'likely to have a substantial detrimental impact on the amenities of local property owners in terms of more activities, disturbance and noise'. Public objections had included the impact on the SLA (special landscape area), light and noise pollution, 'attracting the wrong people' to Corris, an excess of tourism and impacts on biodiversity and local property. A resident who lives at a former medieval fulling mill, beside the Dulas river, where she said otters and owls were often seen, told the meeting the area was a place of 'peace and tranquillity'. They had purchased their home in 2016, on a site of special landscape (SLA) 'in the knowledge that it was protected from developments such as this'. She was also concerned it would mean more strangers walking around the home boundary, day and night. Local member Cllr John Pughe Roberts argued people already walked on a public footpath there anyway, and the development would not be seen due to woodland and planting between the house and pods. He also questioned the nature of the SLA, adding that local farmers were 'worried about the lack of development opportunities for the future'. He called for councillors to support the applicants, who were a third-generation, Welsh speaking farming family. Cllr Louise Hughes backed the scheme, saying: 'Farmers are up against it." She noted it was 'a small and discreet' development of only five pods. Her proposal was seconded by Gruff Williams, who said it was now 'necessary for farmers to redirect their efforts and to diversify', while Cllr Gareth Jones called it 'a perfect example of sustainable tourism'. Cllr Berwyn Parry Jones said he could not support the scheme, due to it being in a SLA, an area of outstanding beauty. Planning manager Gareth Jones told the committee they had rejected similar applications, and if the decision was to be approved, it would have to be referred to a 'deliberation period' and brought back again to the committee. A vote to allow the application failed with five votes in favour, no abstentions, and eight against. A second vote, to refuse the application passed with seven votes in favour, no abstentions and six against. This meant the application was rejected. Speaking after the meeting, Cllr John Pughe Roberts said he was 'very disappointed' on behalf of the applicants. They had been hoped that the enterprise could help sustain future generations of the local farming family, he said. 'I am extremely disappointed, and it was Plaid Cymru people that voted this down,' he said. 'More and more young people are leaving Gwynedd in their droves, more than anywhere else due to the need to be able to make a living. Soon there will be no young Welsh speakers left,' he said. 'These are a third generation Welsh speaking farming family, they should have been given a chance to do this."
Wales Online
21-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Three-generation farming family blocked from development aimed at helping them 'survive'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A Corris plan to site five glamping pods as part of a Welsh farming family's diversification intentions has been turned down. Cyngor Gwynedd's planning committee rejected an application to change the use of land and develop a small scale holiday development on an area known as Pandy fields. The proposal for the permanent pods and associated parking was rejected, in line with the council's planning officer's recommendations, at a meeting on Monday, May 19. The application had been made by Maisie Sandells, through agent Dafydd Tomos of George and Tomos Penserei (Architects). It had been deferred from the council's Monday, April 28, planning committee meeting for a site visit. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday The proposal had been part of a diversification project for a 120-hectare livestock business by H.B Sandells and Sons Farm. Council planners had considered the application "not acceptable" as it meant creating new, permanent alternative camping accommodation within a Special Landscape Area. They said it was also "likely to have a substantial detrimental impact on the amenities of local property owners in terms of more activities, disturbance and noise." Public objections had included the impact on the SLA (special landscape area), light and noise pollution, 'attracting the wrong people' to Corris, an excess of tourism and impacts on biodiversity and local property. A resident who lived at a former medieval fulling mill by the Dulas river, where wildlife such as otters and owls were often seen, told the meeting the area was a place of "peace and tranquillity". They had purchased their home in 2016, on a site of special landscape (SLA) "in the knowledge that it was protected from developments such as this". She described concerns over "substantial impact" on their "well-being and way of life" and cited potential including loss of privacy, light pollution, noise disruption by visitors and the impact of a car park. She was also concerned it would mean more strangers walking around the home boundary, day and night. Local member, Cllr John Pughe Roberts, disagreed, and felt it would "not make much difference," as people already walked on a public footpath there anyway. The development would also not be seen due to woodland and planting between the house and pods, he said. He also questioned the nature of the SLA, adding that local farmers were "worried about the lack of development opportunities for the future". He called for councillors to support the applicants, who were a three generation, Welsh speaking farming family. "Speaking as a farmer's wife," Cllr Louise Hughes said she was also in support. She proposed approving the application against the planning officer's recommendation to refuse "Farmers are up against it," she said, noting it was "a small and discreet" development of only five pods. Her proposal was seconded by Gruff Williams, who said it was now "necessary for farmers to redirect their efforts and to diversify." Cllr Gareth Jones also felt it was "a perfect example of sustainable tourism" and said he did not believe it would have any detrimental effect on local residents. "It is a family farm, which wants to diversify in order to survive," he said Cllr Berwyn Parry Jones said he could not support the scheme, due to it being in a SLA, an area of outstanding beauty. Planning manager Gareth Jones told the committee they had rejected similar applications, and if the decision was to be approved, it would have to be referred to a "deliberation period" and brought back again to the committee. A vote to allow the application failed with five votes in favour, no abstentions, and eight against. A second vote, to refuse the application passed with seven votes in favour, no abstentions and six against. This meant the application was rejected. Speaking after the meeting, Cllr John Pughe Roberts said he was "very disappointed" on behalf of the applicants. It had been hoped that the enterprise could help sustain future generations of the local farming family, he said. (Image: Cyngor Gywnedd plans) "I am extremely disappointed, and it was Plaid Cymru people that voted this down," he said. "More and more young people are leaving Gwynedd in their droves, more than anywhere else due to the need to be able to make a living. Soon there will be no young Welsh speakers left," he said. "These are a third generation Welsh speaking farming family, they should have been given a chance to do this." Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
North Wales Live
21-05-2025
- General
- North Wales Live
Three-generation farming family blocked from development aimed at helping them 'survive'
A Corris plan to site five glamping pods as part of a Welsh farming family's diversification intentions has been turned down. Cyngor Gwynedd's planning committee rejected an application to change the use of land and develop a small scale holiday development on an area known as Pandy fields. The proposal for the permanent pods and associated parking was rejected, in line with the council's planning officer's recommendations, at a meeting on Monday, May 19. The application had been made by Maisie Sandells, through agent Dafydd Tomos of George and Tomos Penserei (Architects). It had been deferred from the council's Monday, April 28, planning committee meeting for a site visit. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday The proposal had been part of a diversification project for a 120-hectare livestock business by H.B Sandells and Sons Farm. Council planners had considered the application "not acceptable" as it meant creating new, permanent alternative camping accommodation within a Special Landscape Area. They said it was also "likely to have a substantial detrimental impact on the amenities of local property owners in terms of more activities, disturbance and noise." Public objections had included the impact on the SLA (special landscape area), light and noise pollution, 'attracting the wrong people' to Corris, an excess of tourism and impacts on biodiversity and local property. A resident who lived at a former medieval fulling mill by the Dulas river, where wildlife such as otters and owls were often seen, told the meeting the area was a place of "peace and tranquillity". They had purchased their home in 2016, on a site of special landscape (SLA) "in the knowledge that it was protected from developments such as this". She described concerns over "substantial impact" on their "well-being and way of life" and cited potential including loss of privacy, light pollution, noise disruption by visitors and the impact of a car park. She was also concerned it would mean more strangers walking around the home boundary, day and night. Local member, Cllr John Pughe Roberts, disagreed, and felt it would "not make much difference," as people already walked on a public footpath there anyway. The development would also not be seen due to woodland and planting between the house and pods, he said. He also questioned the nature of the SLA, adding that local farmers were "worried about the lack of development opportunities for the future". He called for councillors to support the applicants, who were a three generation, Welsh speaking farming family. "Speaking as a farmer's wife," Cllr Louise Hughes said she was also in support. She proposed approving the application against the planning officer's recommendation to refuse "Farmers are up against it," she said, noting it was "a small and discreet" development of only five pods. Her proposal was seconded by Gruff Williams, who said it was now "necessary for farmers to redirect their efforts and to diversify." Cllr Gareth Jones also felt it was "a perfect example of sustainable tourism" and said he did not believe it would have any detrimental effect on local residents. "It is a family farm, which wants to diversify in order to survive," he said Cllr Berwyn Parry Jones said he could not support the scheme, due to it being in a SLA, an area of outstanding beauty. Planning manager Gareth Jones told the committee they had rejected similar applications, and if the decision was to be approved, it would have to be referred to a "deliberation period" and brought back again to the committee. A vote to allow the application failed with five votes in favour, no abstentions, and eight against. A second vote, to refuse the application passed with seven votes in favour, no abstentions and six against. This meant the application was rejected. Speaking after the meeting, Cllr John Pughe Roberts said he was "very disappointed" on behalf of the applicants. It had been hoped that the enterprise could help sustain future generations of the local farming family, he said. "I am extremely disappointed, and it was Plaid Cymru people that voted this down," he said. "More and more young people are leaving Gwynedd in their droves, more than anywhere else due to the need to be able to make a living. Soon there will be no young Welsh speakers left," he said. "These are a third generation Welsh speaking farming family, they should have been given a chance to do this."
