Flintshire County Council’s Planning Committee has approved a proposal to install six glamping pods at Keeper’s Cottage in Bryn-y-Gelli, Rhydymwyn, following a debate over the balance between tourism development and local concerns.
The decision, made during a recent committee meeting, supports the county’s goal of positioning itself as a visitor destination.
Councillor Bill Crease said the development aligned with efforts to strengthen Flintshire’s tourism offering. “I think it’s important that we develop the concept that Flintshire is a destination,” he told Herald.Wales.
“It surprises me that as a county we seem to do very little to encourage people to stop. I think going forward, a quality provision of this nature needs to be considered and developed, and I think would be a valuable addition.”
The project, put forward by applicants Kate and John Griffiths, includes six pods capable of sleeping up to four people each, along with a children’s play area.
The application received support from Flintshire’s Business and Tourism Department, which has emphasized the importance of expanding accommodation options to attract longer visitor stays.
Objections were raised by nearby residents, who cited potential impacts on farming activity, livestock, and privacy. Neighbor Jane Caddick expressed concern about increased traffic, noise, and the effect on her flock of rare-breed sheep.
“We’ve been made aware the pods can accommodate four each, which brings the potential up to 24 people at any one time in that small area with the associated traffic on the small lane and the disruption and noise that would bring,” she said.
Caddick also requested a six-foot fence along the boundary to safeguard both her family’s privacy and her animals.
Additional concerns included the potential disruption to a local dairy farmer’s herd, with possible consequences for milk yields.
Councillor Adele Davies-Cooke opposed the application, stating, “Such a development is going to disturb the peace and tranquility of the neighbouring properties. It’s intrusive and inconsiderate. Tourism certainly has a place, but this is not the place.”
To address these issues, councillors Simon Jones and Fran Lister supported a mitigation measure involving fencing and hedge planting.
Cllr Crease agreed, noting that “a six-foot weatherproof fence along that boundary line would afford the neighbours some privacy in their garden. The planting of a native hedge alongside that, over time, will provide a more secure and effective boundary.”
The committee approved the application with the condition that a native hedge be planted and a temporary fence installed until the hedge matures.
For outdoor hospitality professionals, the decision highlights a recurring theme in rural tourism development: navigating the balance between creating new guest experiences and maintaining harmony with established agricultural and residential uses.
Business owners considering similar projects may take note of how local planning authorities weigh tourism benefits against community impact, and how mitigation measures such as fencing, landscaping, or relocation within a property can help secure approval.