Luxury Abersoch holiday park has applied to open all-year opening

A luxury North Wales holiday park  has applied for permission to  open all-year  round, despite local concerns it would lead to an “estate” of holiday homes.
The Warren in Abersoch, Gwynedd has to shut between January 17 and March 1 under current planning rules.
But its owners, the Haulfryn Group Ltd, want to capitalise on the February half term and Valentine’s weekend and have applied to Gwynedd Council to have a restriction to all-year opening lifted.
They say this  would allow existing part-time and seasonal post to become full-time and would create another 35 jobs.
Planning officers have recommended that bid is approved, ahead of a committee meeting in Caernarfon on Monday, March 2.
But Llanengan Community Council  is urging councillors to refuse the request  on the basis that it could lead to an “estate of new permanent homes” and lead to an increase in the number of holiday homes in the community.
It would also “create a precedent” for other parks to extend their seasons.
But the Warren’s owners insist that stringent measures are already in place to ensure that users do not use their caravans or lodges as their main residences.
“Haulfryn Group have procedures in place for checking and recording proof of address for holiday caravan and holiday lodge owners, the information is retained on a database which is updated annually,” they said in a supporting document to the planning application.
“The Licence Agreement for a holiday caravan pitch which is issued by Haulfryn Group to all holiday caravan and holiday lodge owners clearly states that the holiday caravans are for holiday and recreational purposes only and are not to be used for permanent residential purposes.
“The proof of a permanent residential address has to be provided on an annual basis by the holiday caravan /holiday lodge owner to Haulfryn, if it is not provided, the Licence Agreement would be jeopardised.”
The development – where some of the luxury lodges sell for £500,000 or more – has space for 500 lodges and caravans as well as its own private beach.
Recommending approval, Gwynedd council planning officers said: “Several of the site’s users return throughout the year for a weekend of for a short stay and this brings revenue to the local area, supporting local restaurants, pubs, shops, garages, services and facilities.
“Extending the holiday season would encourage visitors to visit outside the usual holiday season, which would have a positive impact on the local and regional economy.
“Extending the holiday season attempts to maintain the local community, safeguarding and providing full-time local employment, creating jobs for the local workforce and leading to further investment.
“Visitors to the Warren stay for short periods in the local area and this will not have a long-term detrimental impact on the Welsh language or the community.”

By Gareth Williams – Local Democracy Reporter