Temporary food and drink van at Whitestone/Bargain Wood Car Park Wye Valley, Llandogo

What was proposed

One temporary food and drink van or trailer would operate seasonally in the existing car park, without new hardstanding or permanent structures.

“The proposed development includes a change of use of land, now used as a car park to site one temporary food/drink van/trailer in the NRW managed car park. The van/trailer will be located on the existing hardstanding within the car park. No new hardstandings or permanent structures will be created. The van/trailer will not be located on the grass or any other vegetation to minimise disturbance to the surrounding green infrastructure.”

Officer report

The site

The site is part of an informal car park serving Bargain Wood, within ancient semi-natural woodland and the Wye Valley National Landscape.

“The application site relates to a car park that serves Bargain Wood. The site is accessed via a length of track (approx. 225m,) that joins the public highway along the unclassified highway. The proposed site forms a small part of an existing car park located over 200m from the public highway and forms a space equivalent to three car parking spaces. The existing car park is informal, and spaces are not delineated.”

“The proposed site is located within Bargain Wood SINC an area of ancient semi-natural woodland. The site lies approximately 500m west of the River Wye SAC and SSSI, and approximately 600m west of Wye Valley Woodlands SAC. The application site is within the Wye Valley National Landscape.”

Officer report

What consultees said

The community council objected, while highways, the National Landscape and biodiversity consultees raised no objection subject to environmental safeguards.

“Wye Valley Community Council – Objects. Objected on the grounds of increased traffic on a narrow and dangerous country lane, potential for more fumes and reduction in air quality as a result of drivers accessing the site for refreshments before they walk. Detrimental to the local ecology and overall presence of the area to allow the siting of a refreshment vehicle, no additional amenities available.”

“Wye Valley National Landscape: No objection Owing to the small and temporary nature of the proposals, there are no significant concerns regarding potential adverse landscape and visual impacts on the Wye Valley National Landscape.”

Officer report

What residents said

One supporter welcomed refreshments, while around 20 objectors cited traffic, parking, litter, noise, wildlife, facilities, local businesses and loss of tranquillity.

“This would cause traffic issues on a generally quiet, exceptionally narrow and unmaintained road (potholes everywhere on approach to Beacon View car park) The approach to Beacon View car park is steep and sharp and would not facilitate an increase in cars entering and leaving on both sites Increase in litter in what should be a protected natural area for wildlife Litter could be detrimental to the no-fence grazing cows who are also there to support the natural habitat by…”

“A food outlet would significantly change the wild woodland nature of the site, disadvantaging those unable to access other wild areas, especially if food outlets are agreed for other local sites The site is already at capacity during peak periods with parking on nearby verges damaging the woodland surface and causing a road safety hazard A food outlet would take up parking spaces, increasing the problem There is no guarantee that people will consume food next to the food…”

Officer report

Who proposed the motions

Councillors proposed and seconded approval first with amended hours, then approval with a three-year temporary consent and the same amended hours.

The final decision

The application was approved for a three-year temporary period, with the van barred from the site overnight and during the winter period.

“We resolved that application DM/2025/00495 be approved subject to a 3-year temporary period of consent as well as being subject to the conditions outlined in the report with condition 5 being amended as follows:”

“No catering van/trailer shall be stationed on site between the hours of 5pm and 9am the following day and no catering van/trailer shall be permitted on the site between 1st November in any one year and 24th March in the succeeding year.”

Minutes