A proposal to develop four glamping pods as part of a farm diversification project is under consideration by Conwy County Council after an application was submitted for agricultural land at Maelogan Mawr, Maelogan Farm, in Carmel, near Llanrwst, North Wales.
Applicant Sian Jones is seeking planning permission to change the use of an agricultural field currently used for grazing sheep and cattle. In addition to the four holiday accommodation pods, the application includes associated access roads, parking, drainage infrastructure, landscaping, and biodiversity enhancement works.
According to planning documents submitted with the application, the proposed development forms part of a broader strategy to diversify the farm’s income while maintaining its agricultural operations. The report also states the project is expected to create one part-time job.
The planning report states: “The proposed holiday accommodation development represents a carefully considered and sustainable farm diversification project which will help support the long-term viability of Moelogan Fawr.
“The proposal has been deliberately limited to four accommodation units to ensure it remains appropriate to its rural setting whilst providing a meaningful additional income stream for the business. The development has been designed to integrate sensitively within the landscape through the retention and enhancement of existing hedgerows, additional native planting, biodiversity improvements, and low-impact design.
“It will provide high-quality rural tourism accommodation, support the local economy, and contribute to the resilience of the farming business, enabling continued investment in both the farm and the surrounding environment.”
The report concludes: “We believe the proposal represents an appropriate and sustainable form of rural diversification and respectfully request that planning permission be granted.”
At this stage of the planning process, neighboring properties have not yet been consulted. However, Bro Garmon Community Council has reviewed the proposal and has raised no objection, according to NorthWalesLive.
The application will be considered by Conwy County Council through its planning process and is expected to be discussed at a future meeting of the planning committee at the authority’s Coed Pella headquarters in Colwyn Bay. A date for that meeting has not yet been announced.
The proposal reflects a continuing trend of farms exploring tourism-based diversification as a means of generating additional revenue alongside traditional agricultural activities. Across the United Kingdom, small-scale glamping developments have increasingly been incorporated into working farms to help offset fluctuating agricultural income while making use of existing rural land.
For outdoor hospitality operators and landowners, the application illustrates how relatively modest accommodation projects can be positioned within planning submissions by emphasizing landscape integration, environmental enhancements, biodiversity measures, and the ongoing viability of agricultural businesses. These elements have become common considerations for planning authorities evaluating rural tourism proposals.
If approved, the four-pod development would add another small-scale glamping offering to North Wales’ rural tourism market while allowing the farm to continue its existing livestock operations. The outcome of the application will ultimately depend on Conwy County Council’s assessment of planning policy, environmental considerations, and consultation responses before a final decision is made.