Glamping pods approved in Rhydymwyn despite concerns
A glamping site in Rhydymwyn has been granted approval as councillors look to make Flintshire a tourism destination.
Despite some strongly worded arguments against the proposal locally, plans for six glamping pods at Keepers Cottage, Bryn-y-Gelli were given the green light by Flintshire County Council’s Planning Committee.
“I think it’s important that we develop the concept that Flintshire is a destination,” said Cllr Bill Crease.
“It surprises me that as a county we seem to do very little to encourage people to stop. I think going forward, a quality provision of this nature needs to be considered and developed and I think would be a valuable addition.”
The provision is for six glamping pods that can sleep up to four people each in a field at Keeper’s Cottage. The applicants, Kate and John Griffiths, requested permission to install the pods and a children’s play area at the site – a plan endorsed by Flintshire’s Business and Tourism Department.
But Jane Caddick, who lives in the neighbouring property, said she had concerns about possible the impact of the plans.
“We’ve been made aware the pods can accommodate four each which brings the potential up to 24 people at any one time in that small area with the associated traffic on the small lane and the disruption and noise that would bring,” she said.
“The applicants own land on the opposite side of the dwelling and relocating the pods there would actually not have any impact on us as neighbours.
“We keep a flock of rare breed sheep bordering their paddock. The fence at present is not suitable if they were to have unfamiliar dogs or different people from different areas stressing them out. Two of our ewes are in lamb at present and we would be worried they would miscarry if they were stressed out in that situation.
“To protect our small children’s privacy and safeguard our livestock we would be asking if the applicants can put up a six foot windproof fence along the boundary because it’s quite imposing on us as residents.”
She also raised the concerns of another neighbour – a dairy farmer – who was worried the impact on his herd of cows could result in lower milk yields.
She was supported by Cllr Adele Davies-Cooke, who told the committee: “I’m extremely worried over this.
“Such a development is going to disturb the peace and tranquility of the neighbouring properties. It’s intrusive and inconsiderate.
“Tourism certainly has a place but this is not the place. It is not suitable and undermines the amenity of those residents who have every right to enjoy their properties without the disruption of rowdy guests.
“There are risks to long-standing rural activity. If a farm wants pods that’s a different matter, it’s already a business so that would be diversification but this is a cottage.”
Local councillors Simon Jones and Fran Lister supported the idea of a fencing solution with hedge planting to protect the neighbouring property, something Cllr Crease agreed with.
“I think to protect the residents and the breeding of sheep, as a condition of the proposal a six foot weatherproof fence along that boundary line would afford the neighbours some privacy in their garden,” he said. “The planting of a native hedge alongside that over time will provide a more secure and effective boundary.”
The application was granted with the condition that a native hedge be planted and a fence installed until the hedge matures.
By Alec Doyle – Local Democracy Reporter
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