13-plot touring caravan site at Berth Ddu Caravan Park, Bwlchtocyn, Pwllheli

What was proposed

The application sought 13 touring caravan plots, a permanent toilet and shower building, and landscaping and biodiversity improvements.

“Proposal: A resubmission with improvements of a previously refused full application for a caravan site, to include a toilet block and environmental improvements…”

“Description: This is a resubmission of a previously refused full application for a touring caravan site, as well as erecting a toilet block and landscaping work. It is proposed to create 13 plots for touring caravans, erect a permanent building to include toilets/showers, as well as undertaking soft landscaping im- provements by reinforcing and filling gaps in cloddiau and hedges, as well as planting a new hedge on the verge of the site with the nearby public road.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The site is open countryside within the Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, served by a narrow winding unclassified road and containing good quality agricultural land.

“The site is located outside any development boundary as shown in the Anglesey and Gwynedd Joint Local Development Plan (LDP) Inset Maps; therefore the site is considered as open countryside. The Berth Ddu property itself stands to the south of the application site and there are dispersed residential houses within the local area. The site is within the Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and within the Llŷn and Enlli Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest.”

Officer report

Earlier application and site use

A previous application for 15 caravans, a toilet and shower block, landscaping and associated work was refused, while no planning permission currently exists for the caravan site.

“The application is submitted to the Planning Committee instead of being considered through the delegated procedure as the application is on a site measuring 0.5 hectare or more in size. Relevant Policies: ⁠ 2.1 Section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and paragraph 2.1.2 of Planning Policy Wales emphasise that planning decisions should be in accordance with the Development Plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.”

“Relevant Planning History: Application C25/0008/39/LL - Increase the number of caravans to a total of 15 mobile units, construction of toilet/shower block, landscaping and associated work - Refused 14/07/25 4. Consultations:”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Natural Resources Wales and the biodiversity unit raised no opposition, while Welsh Water, land drainage and the AONB unit identified concerns or requested further information.

“Turning to surface water drainage, as of 7th January 2019, this proposed development may be subject to Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. In the event this proposed development amounts to a total impermeable area of 100sqm or more, approval of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) features will be required in accordance with the 'Statutory standards for sustainable drainage systems – designing, constructing, operating and maintaining surface water drainage…”

“AONB Unit: Berth Ddu caravan site is located in the Sarn Bach area and in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The land is visible from some nearby public vistas, but it is not very prominent in the landscape. This is an amended application to create a site for 13 units and a toilet/shower block on two agricultural fields.”

Officer report

Objections from residents

Two submissions objected that the changes were cosmetic, the site would remain visually harmful, access was poor, local capacity was limited and unauthorised work had occurred.

“The advertisement period has expired, and two letters / items of correspondence have been received, objecting on the following grounds: • Although there are changes from the previous application and improvements in the form of suitable landscaping and Biodi- versity improvements, they are cosmetic changes and do nothing to prevent the visual impact of this open site within the AONB; • transport concerns and poor access to the site; • lack of capacity within the area to…”

Officer report

What the officer explained

The Senior Planning Officer described the proposal, its changes, the site designations and the reasons officers considered the development unacceptable.

The decision and reasons

The application was refused because the site would harm the landscape and AONB, failed to justify agricultural land loss, and lacked sewerage information.

“The proposal involves the creation of a new touring caravan site in open countryside away from the main roads network. It is not considered that the proposed units would easily assimilate to the local landscape, and it is not considered to be in an unobtrusive location that is well-concealed by the existing features of the landscape, and it is therefore considered that the development would be harmful to the visual quality of the landscape.”

“Insufficient evidence has been submitted as part of the planning application to demonstrate that full consideration has been given to the loss of the best and most versatile agricultural land. It is therefore considered to be contrary to the requirements of criterion 6 of Policy PS 6 of the Anglesey and Gwynedd Joint Local Development Plan 2011-2026 and the advice provided in paragraphs 3.58 and 3.59 of Planning Policy Wales.”

Minutes