Forest Holidays has submitted a proposal to expand and redevelop its holiday park in Beddgelert, located within Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, as part of a broader visitor recreation masterplan aimed at enhancing the village’s tourism offering.
The proposal outlines plans to replace existing touring caravan and camping pitches with 22 additional year-round, self-catering holiday cabins.
The project would also include the development of a new reception area and café, as well as upgrades to the multi-user path that connects the site to the village center.
The expansion follows Forest Holidays’ initial planning approval in 2017, which permitted the construction of 16 cabins along with up to 85 touring and camping pitches. Since opening in the summer of 2018, the cabins have seen an average occupancy rate of 97% annually.
“The cabins have assimilated well into the site and the wider landscape, with the approved landscaping scheme now establishing and maturing well,” said a spokesperson from Cadnant Planning.
“The cabins have also delivered significant year-round support to the local economy of the village of Beddgelert.”
The project is part of a coordinated effort with Roberts Group, the owner of nearby Cae Du and Cae Canol campsites. A parallel application proposes expanding touring and camping capacity at those sites to compensate for the loss of pitches at Forest Holidays.
The intention is to maintain the village’s overall capacity for traditional camping while allowing for increased demand for cabin-style accommodations.
As part of the village-wide plan, Forest Holidays has also committed to sponsoring public toilets in Beddgelert.
According to the NorthWalesLive, the £8.1 million construction investment is expected to generate 16 part-time and one full-time job. Visitor spending from the expanded cabin capacity could bring in an estimated additional £642,000 annually to the local economy.
Forest Holidays currently operates 13 sites across the UK, many located on land managed by Forestry England, Forestry and Land Scotland, and Natural Resources Wales.
The proposed changes aim to position Beddgelert for year-round tourism while balancing modern demand with traditional camping provisions.