Flintshire village pub enters glamping plans in bid to boost viability

Glamping accommodation could be created next to a Flintshire pub in order to boost its viability. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

An application has been entered to put four shepherd’s huts on land near the White Lion in Glan-yr-Afon, near Llanasa. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

It would also result in the renovation of the mid-19th century pub and an existing garage block being redeveloped into a two-bedroom holiday let. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The pub was most recently run by Christopher and Hannah Mellor before it closed last year after the business was impacted by Covid-19 restrictions. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

It has now been taken on by their son Will who is hoping to bring the pub back into use and make it more sustainable by adding holiday accommodation. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

In a statement submitted to Flintshire Council, a consultant acting on his behalf said: “The proposal includes the renovation, alteration and extension of the White Lion public house to improve access, new facilities, and improved owners’ accommodation. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“This includes for the reconstruction of the adjacent garage block and outhouses to provide for a two-bedroom holiday let, the provision of four moveable ‘shepherd’s huts’ for holiday letting and resurfacing the existing access road. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“The alterations to the public house comprise the rebuilding of an existing lean-to ‘conservatory’ to the northern side of the building which will provide an improved dining experience for patrons. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“The proposals will enhance the setting of the public house, considered to be a local historic interest, through the improvement of the landscape within the site. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“The addition of the bespoke shepherd’s huts within the grounds will add an appropriate diversification to the existing leisure offer of the public house. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“The public house, currently not in use and somewhat neglected, allows for a sustainable and economic re-use of the building, with little change.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Comments are being invited on the proposals via the local authority’s website with a decision expected at a later date. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Liam Randall – Local Democracy Reporter (more here). ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Latest News