Glamping Site Visit

Council planners are to visit the north Pembrokeshire site of a proposed glamping venture, which includes geodesic domes and yurts, before making any decision on whether to grant permission or not.

In an application recommended for approval at the September 8 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Zoe Delaney, through agent JMS Planning & Development Ltd, sought permission for a change of use of land to a tourism site and associated works on land north of Cwm Plysgog, Cilgerran.

Cilgerran Community Council raised concerns including traffic and parking issues with limited access, increased noise levels and impact on residential amenity, a change in the character of the area, and issues with drainage and sewerage capacity, foul waste and impact on Plysgog Stream.

Some 17 members of the public raised concerns broadly similar to the community council.

On the issue of traffic and access, the council’s highways department raised no concerns.

An officer report said: “The application seeks permission for the siting of six self-catering units of holiday accommodation which include decking areas, proposed access track from the highway into a car parking area, a shower/toilet block and associated landscaping including the creation of pathways.

“The units of accommodation would comprise of two geodesic domes, two yurts and two bell tents. Each unit would benefit from a decking area with a height of approximately 0.3 metres and a floor area covering three metres by three metres. Each unit would sit within an area enclosed by proposed hedgerow.”

On the issue of any potential impact on the sensitive Tefi River Special Area of Conservation, it said the council ecologist has undertaken an ‘Appropriate Assessment’, also reviewed by Natural Resources Wales, which identified potential effects arising from the increased nutrient output from the development due to failures of the flow passed forward at Cilgerran Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW).

It said that, while Dwr Cymru Welsh Water has confirmed that the Cilgerran WwTW is currently failing to comply with its target levels, it is required to deliver a scheme at the works to deliver compliance, due for completion by December 31, suggesting a condition on the application that no facilities drain to Cilgerran WwTW prior to that date.

Speaking at the meeting, local member Cllr John T Davies raised the significant concerns from the community council, saying the highway access was “inadequate” in an area that already had the forest farm outdoor retreat and glamping site, and expressed concerns about the Grampian condition time limiting connection to Cilgerran Wastewater Treatment Works.

He said he had no faith in Welsh Water delivering the works in the time, suggesting a site visit take place to address the issues raised before any decision is made.

His concerns about the access road were supported by fellow local councillor Iwan Ward; chair Cllr Mark Carter, who said he was “always reliant on the knowledge of the local members” in planning applications, formally proposing a site visit.

Members unanimously backed a site visit take place, the application returning to a future committee meeting.Council planners are to visit the north Pembrokeshire site of a proposed glamping venture, which includes geodesic domes and yurts, before making any decision on whether to grant permission or not.

In an application recommended for approval at the September 8 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Zoe Delaney, through agent JMS Planning & Development Ltd, sought permission for a change of use of land to a tourism site and associated works on land north of Cwm Plysgog, Cilgerran.

Cilgerran Community Council raised concerns including traffic and parking issues with limited access, increased noise levels and impact on residential amenity, a change in the character of the area, and issues with drainage and sewerage capacity, foul waste and impact on Plysgog Stream.

Some 17 members of the public raised concerns broadly similar to the community council.

On the issue of traffic and access, the council’s highways department raised no concerns.

An officer report said: “The application seeks permission for the siting of six self-catering units of holiday accommodation which include decking areas, proposed access track from the highway into a car parking area, a shower/toilet block and associated landscaping including the creation of pathways.

“The units of accommodation would comprise of two geodesic domes, two yurts and two bell tents. Each unit would benefit from a decking area with a height of approximately 0.3 metres and a floor area covering three metres by three metres. Each unit would sit within an area enclosed by proposed hedgerow.”

On the issue of any potential impact on the sensitive Tefi River Special Area of Conservation, it said the council ecologist has undertaken an ‘Appropriate Assessment’, also reviewed by Natural Resources Wales, which identified potential effects arising from the increased nutrient output from the development due to failures of the flow passed forward at Cilgerran Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW).

It said that, while Dwr Cymru Welsh Water has confirmed that the Cilgerran WwTW is currently failing to comply with its target levels, it is required to deliver a scheme at the works to deliver compliance, due for completion by December 31, suggesting a condition on the application that no facilities drain to Cilgerran WwTW prior to that date.

Speaking at the meeting, local member Cllr John T Davies raised the significant concerns from the community council, saying the highway access was “inadequate” in an area that already had the forest farm outdoor retreat and glamping site, and expressed concerns about the Grampian condition time limiting connection to Cilgerran Wastewater Treatment Works.

He said he had no faith in Welsh Water delivering the works in the time, suggesting a site visit take place to address the issues raised before any decision is made.

His concerns about the access road were supported by fellow local councillor Iwan Ward; chair Cllr Mark Carter, who said he was “always reliant on the knowledge of the local members” in planning applications, formally proposing a site visit.

Members unanimously backed a site visit take place, the application returning to a future committee meeting.