Holiday lodges are a go in Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, despite a wave of local objections! The planning application for three timber-clad, two-bedroom lodges was championed by Mr G Davies as part of a “farm diversification project.” Positioned just 68 metres from the nearest home, this project ignited concerns about noise, parking, and maintaining the area’s character.
Nevertheless, the proposal received the council’s nod of approval. Planning agent Richard Corbett highlighted the aim to offer a unique holiday escape in this charming rural haven. Arguing that tourism bolsters the Powys economy, Corbett emphasised the need for businesses to diversify amidst growing uncertainties.
The locale, known as Britain’s smallest town, brims with history, music, and cultural pursuits, with nearby gems like the Elan Valley and Brecon Beacons. To address privacy worries, council planning officer Catherine James recommended additional landscaping, reassuring that the lodges’ impact would be minimal with just two bedrooms each, curtailing the number of guests at a time.
Before construction kicks off, a sustainable drainage application must jump through the necessary hoops for approval. While the path for the lodges is now clear, the buzz around this development echoes the wider debates on balancing progress with preserving local character across Wales.