Caravan park plans to be considered by councillors

Powys County Council's planning committee will consider whether to approve a proposal from Sheeham Holdings to add another 54 static caravans at Fir View Holiday Park, Llangyniew.

The park already has 174 static caravans at the site which is near the A495 road, which runs from Llynclys past Meifod and joins the A458 road to the west of Llanfair Caereinion.

If given the green light the caravan park will grow by nearly a third, to house 228 statics.

There is opposition to the extra caravans locally, Llangyniew Council has not supported the application and there have been other letters of objection.

Council clerk Jonathan Bellingham said that there were several reasons why the council could not support the application, including the visual impact on the countryside, lack of infrastructure to support the extra number of caravans and vehicles at the site.

The council also believes that the influx of more people to the area would put a strain on health resources, such as doctors.

Mr Bellingham also pointed out that there are already 16 caravan parks in the area, and the need now was for self-catering holiday cottages.

Acceptable impact

In her report, planning case officer Gemma Bufton, said: “The principle of the development as an extension to the existing site is considered to fundamentally comply with relevant planning policy.

“Whilst it is acknowledged that the site is visible from the A495, given the low scale of the units proposed, the topography of the land being set down from the skyline and proposed landscaping against the existing backdrop of the ancient woodland it is considered on balance that the proposed development would not have an unacceptable wider landscape, and visual impact and the recommendation is one of conditional consent.”

If agreed by councillors, the permission would have 21 conditions attached to it including the need for a flood evacuation plan, as part of the site is in a flood zone.

Another condition would also mean that each caravan would need adequate parking for one vehicle per bedroom.

Geraint Jones of agents McCartney’s Planning and Survey outlined the economic argument in a planning statement that backs the proposal.

Mr Jones said: “New tourist development is encouraged because of its contribution to the economy in terms of visitor spending, supporting business and employment.

“The proposal is sustainable and would make a valuable contribution to the local economy.”

The caravans would be approximately 12metres long, by 3.6metres wide and 3.9metres high and, they would all be positioned six metres apart, which is the minimum distance between caravans according to the Caravan & Camping Club.

Fir View Holiday Park is a 22 acre caravan park which includes within its site a bowling green, five aside football pitch, swimming pool, crazy golf course, all weather tennis courts, children activity centre and access to forest walks.