A new glamping venue has been earmarked in Snowdonia - on a site currently used to store dead animals.
The area next to Capel Salem, at Pentre Gwynfryn near Llanbedr, had been used for kennels and to store "fallen stock" from nearby farms for decades. Last year the owner won permission to build a new building to the carcasses despite opposition locally. Now plans are in from Gaerwen-based Cymru Lȃn Cyf for outline planning permission to change the use to D2 (leisure), demolish some existing buildings and erect 10 glamping pods.
The exact design of the pods is yet to be determined, but those behind the scheme insist it would "complement" other tourism operations in the area.
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A planning statement to planners at Snowdonia National Park said: "The application site was used by the previous owner for some 40 years, the established operation being kennels and fallen stock processing. The applicant and previous owner of the proposal site reached an agreement to redevelop the site for continued future use of the site and fallen stock collection centre.
"The proposal site currently benefits from extant planning permission NP5/62/63/G, on appeal, which permits the collection, storage and transfer of fallen stock and animal by-products. Subsequent to the planning application, the applicant has become sole owner of the site.
"The owner no longer has the risk of the site being operated by a competitor and has the option to redevelop the site for an alternative use. The local community objected to the previous application but the local Parish Council has stated its support of this application.
"The area has established tourist operation. Further along the road is a camp and caravan site demonstrating that the road is suitable for access for towing vehicles and a large number of vehicle movements."
It added: "There will be a reduction in risk of environmental impact. The scale of the proposal site remains the same and has been determined not to impact the local area.
"Refusal of the application would result in the continuation of the use of the site in its current format. As such it is apparent that the development should be supported." The plans will now be considered by the planning authority.
