Plans to introduce new glamping accommodation in the Cynon Valley have been approved by the Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) planning committee, allowing six glamping pods to be installed on farmland at Gwrhyd Farm in Abernant Road, Llwydcoed.
The decision was made on Thursday, October 2, following a review of the proposal, which also includes supporting infrastructure such as bike storage, recycling and waste facilities, a parking area with eight spaces, electric vehicle charging points, footpaths, a turning area, and a water treatment plant to manage on-site drainage.
The proposal drew three letters of objection from local residents, who raised concerns related to traffic, highway safety, and the potential loss of public rights of way.
Environmental issues were also noted, with objections citing potential damage to local habitats and the impact on the area’s ecology.
According to Herald.Wales, objectors expressed worries about cumulative noise, light, and odour from the development, arguing that it could negatively affect nearby properties and alter the rural character of the area.
Some also voiced apprehension regarding drainage and water management, suggesting the development could affect the fresh water supply and contribute to over-saturation of the land, potentially impacting Nant Gwyn woodland.
Planning officers, however, recommended approval, stating that the project aligns with local tourism and rural development goals. In their report, officers noted:
“The proposal represents a tourism/leisure use that is compatible with the rural setting of the site. Furthermore the siting, scale, and appearance of the proposed glamping pods are considered acceptable and it is not considered that they would have an adverse impact upon the character and appearance of the site and surrounding area or upon the amenity and privacy of neighbouring residential properties.”
They further stated that access improvements and parking provisions were satisfactory, adding:
“Furthermore the proposal includes improvements to existing private shared access/driveway, a turning facility within the site to enable vehicles to access and egress the site in a forward gear, and an acceptable level of off-street car parking and the proposal would therefore not have an adverse impact on highway safety in the vicinity of the site.”
For professionals in the outdoor hospitality industry, this development underscores the continuing interest in rural glamping projects across the UK, particularly those integrating sustainable infrastructure such as EV charging points and on-site water management.
As local councils balance ecological and community concerns with tourism growth, similar applications could benefit from clearly demonstrating environmental stewardship and traffic management solutions to gain approval.