Monmouthshire County Council is expected to vote on a proposal this week concerning a rural tourism development that includes the addition of glamping accommodation on land currently used for alpacas.
The application, submitted by Elizabeth Pengelly, seeks to expand tourism activity on a parcel of land described as “empty residential land” at Parc Llettis Road in Hardwick, situated between Abergavenny and Raglan.
The proposal outlines plans to build washing facilities for guests, enhance an existing animal shelter used for South American alpacas, and introduce additional accommodation. Two shepherd huts are already located on the site.
Under the proposed development, Pengelly intends to add two more huts and install four bell tents to accommodate glamping guests, according to the Free Press Series.
According to planning documents, the aim is to diversify land use to support rural tourism and generate supplementary income from short-term stays.
The Monmouthshire planning team has recommended approval of the application, despite receiving more than five objections from local residents.
Concerns raised include potential disruption, the impact on landscape views, and infrastructure strain in the rural setting.
The final decision is scheduled to be made by Monmouthshire councillors during their upcoming planning committee meeting. A specific date has not yet been disclosed publicly, though council meetings addressing similar proposals are typically held on a monthly basis.
For outdoor hospitality business owners, particularly those operating in rural or agricultural settings, this proposal underscores the ongoing trend of land diversification through glamping.
It illustrates how small-scale developments—such as the addition of shepherd huts and bell tents—can align with broader local tourism objectives while navigating planning regulations and public sentiment.
Operators considering similar projects may wish to monitor the council’s handling of this application as a precedent for integrating tourism into mixed-use or agricultural land.