Plans to install three holiday pods on farmland near Llanfair Caereinion have received formal approval from Powys County Council, allowing the project to proceed as part of a broader farm diversification effort.
The decision, issued in late 2024, supports the proposal by the owners of Adwywywent, a working farm classified as agricultural grade 3b land with access from an existing farm track.
According to the application submitted to the council, the owners said the plan “is being proposed under policy TD1 as part of a further farm diversification scheme.”
They explained that the new structures would provide tourist accommodation in open countryside near the main farm holding, adding that “the proposed units where proposed will make use of the far-reaching views to the valley and hills beyond.”
The owners also stated that the pods “will attract further tourism to the area allowing for a betterment of the local economy,” and emphasized that “the holiday units are not permanent” and “will be for holiday use only.”
A planning officer who reviewed the submission described the pods as “rectangular, domed roofed, single storey units with timber sides and timber shingled roofs.” The officer added that the development would include a curved access road and a communal parking area to service the units.
No objections were recorded during the planning review. In the officer’s assessment, the distance between the proposed units and the nearest neighbouring properties — which are within the ownership of the applicant — would limit any potential impact on residential amenity.
The officer noted that “the development may be visible to some neighbouring properties, however this impact in comparison to current views is not considered to result in unacceptable living conditions in terms of outlook, given the distances involved.”
According to the Powys County Times, the assessment concluded that “the proposed development would not unacceptably affect the living conditions for nearby residents.”
For business owners in the outdoor hospitality sector, the approval highlights ongoing opportunities tied to agricultural diversification and rural tourism demand.
The project illustrates how farms in the region are leveraging planning policies, particularly TD1, to introduce small-scale, landscape-sensitive accommodation that aligns with council requirements.
The case may offer a reference point for operators considering similar pod-based developments, especially those located on working farms seeking to expand into visitor accommodation while navigating planning expectations related to design, visibility, and land use.