Plans to expand the size of glamping accommodations at the former Rhyl Rugby Club site near Rhuddlan received approval from Denbighshire County Council’s planning committee during its May meeting, despite objections raised by the local community council.
Councillors voted 16-1 in favor of the proposal during the meeting held at County Hall in Ruthin, following recommendations from planning officers to approve the application. The proposal, submitted by Mr. W Ward of Cynwyd Enterprises, sought to amend a previously approved scheme for a nine-pod glamping development on the former rugby and football grounds on Waen Road.
The site had already secured planning permission in February 2025 for nine glamping pods. At the time, concerns had been raised over potential noise, disturbance, impacts on wildlife, and the effect on surrounding agricultural activity. The revised application focused on increasing the size of the pods and altering the site layout rather than increasing the number of units.
Under the original approval, the pods were limited to structures measuring 7 meters in length, 3.2 meters in width, and 3 meters in height. Each unit was designed to contain a double bed, a sofa bed, a kitchen area, a dining area, and shower facilities.
The newly approved plans allow for larger timber-clad pods measuring 5.8 meters deep, 9.8 meters wide, and 3.2 meters high. The revised designs include an entrance and dining area, living room, kitchen, bathroom, and two bedrooms.
Tremeirchion, Cwm, and Waen Community Council opposed the revised plans, describing them as “a radical deviation” from the original approval and warning the site could potentially accommodate “36 people.”
Speaking in support of the application, Mr. Jones told councillors: “This is not a new intensification of the site but simply a different style of accommodation within the already approved development framework. The reality is that this type of accommodation is predominantly used by couples and families in single vehicles.”
He also said that any increase in traffic would be “extremely modest.”
Planning officer Paul Griffin told the committee that the revised accommodation would likely prove “more successful and more appealing to people,” particularly families. He also noted that the previously approved pods already included sofa beds, meaning occupancy levels could potentially remain similar despite the larger floorplans.
Councillor Chris Evans acknowledged concerns regarding the surrounding road network and traffic levels but said the site had improved significantly. “They take care of the land. They’ve got the grassroots football, the children’s football,” he said. Evans also referenced incidents of fly-tipping near the entrance gates but noted that the waste had been removed “swiftly.”
The committee also heard that the former sports field continues to support a local grassroots football club, contributing to community use alongside the tourism development.
For outdoor hospitality operators and glamping developers, the decision highlights how local authorities may continue to support modifications to approved tourism projects when operators can demonstrate that changes do not materially intensify site usage.
The case also reflects growing demand for larger, family-oriented accommodations within the glamping sector, particularly as operators look to improve guest amenities and broaden appeal to longer-stay family travelers.
According to NorthWalesLive, Councillor Merfyn Parry formally proposed approval in line with officers’ recommendations before members voted to back the revised plans.