Glamping Site Approved in Llandudno Despite Fears of Noise Pollution

Plans for a glamping site in Llandudno have been approved despite fears late-night partying will disturb those living nearby.
An application was made to Conwy County Council’s planning department seeking partly retrospective planning permission for a wooden glamping pod at Bodafon Hall on Bodafon Road in Craigside.
The applicant, listed as Ms A. Carri, also applied for retrospective planning permission for a yurt, wood-fired hot tub, decking area, and a toilet.
Both applications were backed by the committee.
The glamping pod, which was already part built, lies in woodland to the north-east of Bodafon Hall, a Grade-II listed building.
The committee heard how the Special Landscape Area is listed as Green Wedge land within an Ancient Monument Consultation Zone and considered to be an historic landscape.
The ancient woodland also included protected trees.
The yurt, which had been there for a “while”, also lies within the hall’s grounds.
Residents living nearby objected to the plans and signed a petition.
Speaking against the development at the Bodlondeb meeting, a speaker called Mr Talbot said: “This glamping pod sticks out like a sore finger.
“It is clearly visible from the residential road, and it just spoils the area.
“The camping facilities are totally out of character.
“It is in a close proximity to residential dwellings, and I mean close.
“If this was to go ahead, the noise pollution would be horrendous.
“There would be late-night partying, loud music, and the 24/7 access could not be controlled, which would destroy any peace and quiet residents have come to enjoy.”
He added: “On this site, there is no parking whatsoever, and Bodafon Road, which joins the site, is a very narrow country lane with no footpaths and very poor street lighting, so parking on this road would not be possible.
“Where are people visiting the site going to park their vehicles?”
Agent Peter Lloyd spoke in favour of the plans, insisting the applicant didn’t realise she needed planning permission before she started work on the structures.
“For those of you who attended the site (visit) yesterday, you’ll have seen both developments in place, this glamping pod not quite yet finished,” he said.
“The applicant found herself in this position through a genuine misunderstanding, believing that these structures were temporary and did not require planning permission, but indeed, we are where we are.
“(Planning) Officers endorsed the scheme and recommend you grant permission.
“Bodafon Hall, which incidentally has nothing to do with Bodafon Farm, previously operated as a hotel before the main building returned to a private residence.
“The wooded grounds to the west of the hall where the development is cited was formerly used as hotel grounds and gardens and tennis courts.
“The hall itself continues to function as a tourism enterprise with its outbuildings permitted as holiday accommodation.
“The pod will assist in diversity providing for a simple woodland-location stay very close to Llandudno.”
Mr Lloyd went on to say that the plans supported Conwy’s local development plan and supported Llandudno as a premier resort in North Wales, attracting families and couples.
Cllr Chris Cater said: “I always get anxious when a development is proposed in a green wedge, and this is actually in a special landscape area, ancient woodland, and a green wedge, so the presumption should be against a significant development, and I’m really pleased we went on a site visit yesterday because it was very illuminating, seeing the context of the hall there and the woodland and these structures.
“I would propose we go with the officers’ recommendation (to approve).
“On balance, the development is very minor.”
Cllr Cater said it was important that a condition was added to the application preventing further development in future, including a woodland management plan.
“I definitely wouldn’t want this area to become a busy campsite,” he added.
But officers said any future development would need to be considered as a new and separate planning application.
Cllr Cater’s proposal was seconded by Cllr Ifor Lloyd, and the committee eventually voted in favour of both applications.

By Richard Evans – Local Democracy Reporter