Powys planners have green-lit and reconsidered a revised proposal for a glamping site at the Star Inn in Dylife. Developers Richard and Nadine Hillary adjusted their initial plans to address concerns over the project’s visual impact.
The revised proposal reduces the number of glamping domes from the original five to three, and includes the siting of a caravan. Additionally, it features enhancements to the access road, a package treatment plant, and a recycling and waste station. This scaled-down plan, focusing on three glamping pods, was developed in response to objections.
The Hillarys also opted to replace the proposed reflective domes with non-reflective, muted-tone pods that blend into Dylife’s wild and rural backdrop.
Plaid Cymru’s Councillor Gary Mitchell, representing the Llanbrynmair area, which includes Dylife, initially expressed concerns about the project’s proposal for five glamping pods. The councilor highlighted the proposal’s visual impact, noting that the reflective domes “would have been a distinct feature, visible for miles.”
However, Mitchell recognized the revision of the project plan. “I can see the applicants have put a considerable effort into addressing the concern. The amended application differs considerably, and I am now comfortable in supporting this application,” Mitchell said, as reported by County Times on May 10.
Planning officer Rhian Griffiths also detailed the revised proposal: “Following amendments to the design and siting of the units, they now sit behind The Star Inn and slightly left.”
Griffiths noted that the design revisions would reduce the units’ visual prominence by employing muted color tones instead of reflective materials. Despite numerous public objections, the issues have been addressed, aligning with relevant planning policies and leading to a recommendation for conditional consent.
The importance of community engagement and adaptive design in project development is a lesson for new glamping owners, highlighted in the successful revision of the glamping project at the Star Inn in Dylife. Hillary’s original proposal faced substantial community pushback primarily due to the visual impact of their planned structures. By engaging with local authorities and communities early in the planning process, glamping owners can obtain smoother approvals.
The case also highlights the significance of maintaining flexibility in project plans to accommodate community and regulatory feedback for future glamping developments. Richard and Nadine Hillary’s willingness to modify their plans, reducing the scale of the project, turned potential obstacles into a viable, approved development.