Holiday touring site at Fferm Grafog, Y, Groeslon, Caernarfon

What was proposed

The application proposed a 25-caravan and 10-tent holiday touring site, a new amenity building, access improvements and associated works.

“Proposal: Application for the change of use of land for the creation of a holiday touring site for caravans, motor homes (25 units) and tents (10 units), demolition of existing amenity building and erection of a new amenity building and associated developments…”

“Description: Application for the change of use of land for the creation of a holiday touring site for caravans, motor homes (25 units) and tents (10 units), demolition of existing amenity building and erection of a new amenity building and associated developments.”

Officer report

The site and its history

The countryside site is accessed from the A487, lies in a Wildlife Site and flood zone, and already has a certified smaller camping site.

“This is a countryside site with the entrance located directly from the A487 Trunk Road. The site is approximately 140m north of Penygroes roundabout and opposite the Inigo Jones Slate Works. Currently, the existing single-track entrance serves the farm and the existing certified site, which allows for five caravans and ten tents throughout the year.”

“The site is located in a Wildlife Site and within a Surface Water Flood zone and Small Watercourses 2 and 3.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

There was no relevant planning history for the application site.

“Relevant Planning History: No relevant history. Consultations:”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the proposal acceptable because it would be screened, meet touring-site criteria, provide safe access and avoid substantial harm.

“Assessment of the material planning considerations: The principle of the development 5.1 As this is a site for touring caravans, the application must be considered under Policy TWR 5 of the Anglesey and Gwynedd Joint Local Development Plan (LDP) that sets out a series of criteria to approve such developments.”

“General and residential amenities 5.13 Access to the site is located directly off the A487 Trunk Road, opposite Inigo Jones Slate Works. The nearest property is about 250m away, across fields from the existing caravan site. Views from the public highway are limited, and the site is not prominent in main views, due to the difference in levels and the existing extensive landscaping planted as part of improvements to the A487.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant thanked officers, described the family’s community connection and asked the committee to approve the application.

What members discussed

Members discussed whether the holiday season could be extended and how storage conditions for touring caravans would be enforced.

“…d) During the ensuing discussion, the following observations were made by a Member: • Holiday season from 1/3 – 31/10 – was there a need to revise the timetable to boost the local economy?”

“In response to a question as to the point of imposing a condition on the storage of touring caravans if enforcement officers were not available to check the action, it was noted that it was an enforcement matter, but if Members were aware of specific sites that were in breach of these rules, a request could be made for that site to be inspected.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee approved the application with conditions limiting units, holiday use, operating dates, storage, highways, lighting, biodiversity and other matters.

“RESOLVED: To approve with conditions 1. Time 2. In accordance with the amended plans. Limit the number of touring units to 25 caravans and 10 tents only. Holiday use only and keep a register. Touring unit's holiday season - 1 March to 31 October. No storing of touring caravans on the site. Trunk Road conditions 8. Natural Resources lighting condition 9. Biodiversity conditions 10. Construction work hours 11. Welsh name 12. Welsh language signs 13.”

“Notes: NRW letter note SUDS note Licensing note…”

Minutes