15 touring caravans at Berth Ddu Caravan Park, Bwlchtocyn, Pwllheli

What was proposed

The application sought 15 touring caravan units, a toilet and shower block, landscaping and associated works.

“Proposal: Increase number of caravans to a total of 15 touring units, construction of toilet/shower block, landscaping and associated work.”

Officer report

The site’s planning history

No planning permission existed for the caravans, and the site no longer had an exemption certificate, so the proposal was treated as a new 15-unit site.

“Description: This full application relates to extending the existing caravan site into an adjacent agricultural field, as well as the construction of a new toilet and shower block, landscaping and associated works. The proposal is to increase the existing site from 7 plots to a total of 15 touring caravan plots and undertake soft landscaping improvements by reinforcing and filling gaps in the cloddiau.”

“During the site inspection we found that a 'Caravan and Motorhome Club' certified location sign was on display there, however, having made enquiries with the exempt Club, confirmation was received on 23/01/25 that the site is no longer a member of the Club due to a change in ownership. Therefore, in reality, this is not an application to extend an existing site; instead, it is an application for a new touring caravan site (15 caravans).”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended refusal because the site was not well concealed, would harm the AONB landscape, was distant from main roads and would use good agricultural land.

“Conclusions: Having weighed up the proposals against the above policy, we conclude that the proposal is contrary to the basic principle of Policy TWR 5, which asks that any touring caravan site development is located in non-intrusive locations which are well concealed by the existing features of the landscape and where they will not cause harm to the visual quality of the landscape, which is within the AONB designation.”

“The proposal would not add to the maintenance, enhancement or restoration of the recog- nised character of the Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There is also concern about creating a new caravan site a considerable distance from the main roads network along a busy rural road where there is a high density of holiday sites and the impact of the associated development work on the features and character of the landscape.”

Officer report

What people said

One objection cited poor screening, landscape harm, the open AONB setting, a narrow access lane and too many nearby caravans.

“Public Consultation: A notice was posted on the site and nearby residents were notified. The advertisement period has expired and one item of correspondence was received from the Caernarfonshire Branch of YDCW/CPRW, objecting on the following grounds: • The site is not well screened. • The additional hedges will not do much to reduce the harm to the visual quality of the landscape. • The site is in an open space within the AONB.”

“A substantial number of caravans within 500m of the site - an excess already and not enough capacity. • Concern that there will be caravans on the site for the entire season. • Lack of details in the application about the hard floors and no mention of the play area on plans although it is included in the Design and Access Statement.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A planning trainee presented the application, and a member highlighted the existing plots, lack of permission and proposed increase to 15 units.

What members considered

Members considered the weak screening, the AONB’s pressures, the rural road, nearby holiday sites and the loss of best agricultural land.

“Reference was made to policy AMG 1 which noted that there was a need for proposals within or affectin the setting/views into or out of the AONB to consider the AONB Management Plan. Attention was drawn to observations from the AONB unit which noted that "...there was a significant number of touring caravans in the Sarn Bach/Bwlchtocyn area which put pressure on the AONB environment and local services." Therefore, it was not considered that the touring caravan units would…”

“Concern was noted about creating a new caravan site a considerable distance from the main roads network along a busy rural road where there was a high density of holiday sites, and the impact of the associated development work on the features and character of the landscape. It was considered that the proposal was contrary to the relevant requirements of Policies TWR 5 and AMG 1 of the LDP and the Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG): Tourist Facilities and Accommodation.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The application was proposed and seconded for refusal, and the committee resolved to refuse it in accordance with the recommendation.

“RESOLVED: To refuse the application in accordance with the recommendation.”

Minutes

Why it was refused

The committee found harm to the landscape and AONB character, highway and landscape concerns, and insufficient evidence about losing best agricultural land.

“It is not considered that the proposed units would easily assimilate to the landscape and therefore it is not considered an unobtrusive location that is well-concealed by the existing features of the landscape, so the development would be detrimental to the visual quality of the landscape. The proposal would not add to the preservation, enhancement or restoration of the recognised character of the Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.”

“Insufficient evidence has been presented as part of the planning application to demonstrate that full account 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 criteria 6 of Policy PS 6 of the Anglesey and Gwynedd Joint Local Development Plan 2011- 2026 and advice provided in paragraphs 3.58 and 3.59 of Planning Policy Wales.”

Minutes