A proposal to construct a holiday park within ancient woodland near Bangor has been officially rejected by Cyngor Gwynedd’s planning committee, despite planning officers recommending approval.
The application, submitted by Luxury Lodge Group Ltd through agent Helen Ashby-Ridgway of Lichfields, sought permission to develop 25 holiday lodges and four glamping pods at Coed y Wern, Ty Gwyn in Glasinfryn.
First submitted in 2018, the plans were revised over the years and were most recently deferred for a site visit on April 28, 2025.
The updated application removed a previously proposed area, known as “Zone 5,” which was considered more ecologically sensitive. The number of glamping pods was also reduced from 11 to four.
However, these changes were not sufficient to gain planning approval. During the meeting, several councillors voiced concerns about the scale and potential impacts of the project.
Local member Cllr Beca Roberts described the proposal as exceeding what could be considered a “small” development, citing issues such as traffic safety, inadequate public transport, landscape disruption, and community impact.
She also noted the existing presence of approximately 100 luxury cabins at Ogwen Bank in nearby Bethesda and raised concerns about local economic benefits.
“It offered no guarantees over jobs and profits would go straight to the Luxury Lodge Group’s HQ in Manchester,” she said in a report by Nation Cymru, arguing the project would bring “no net benefits” to the local community.
Cllr Berwyn Parry Jones supported rejection, stating the development was “too large, and brought no positive elements.”
He expressed concerns about visual disruption and the impact on local residents. Cllr Gareth Jones emphasized the potential scale of usage, noting, “these are going to be large cabins, 25 of them, three bedroomed spaces for at least two families, with two or three cars to each one.”
He characterized the proposal as both “overdevelopment and over-provision.”
Environmental concerns also played a role. Cllr Gareth Jones further commented on the potential tree loss, saying:
“There will be loss of trees, woodland. I’m not sure how ancient they are, but they are very beautiful trees, it’s a real shame to fell so many for cabins.”
He referenced the unusually high number of public objections: “Over 5,000 have objected by email, I have not seen that kind of thing since being a councillor.”
Other committee members echoed concerns about the potential negative impact on local communities and the natural environment. Cllr Elin Hywel emphasized the need to protect local communities, particularly given the volume of opposition.
On the other hand, a minority view was expressed by Cllr Anne Lloyd Jones, who supported the plan.
She argued that the site was “concealed,” adding, “People like to come out and stay in woodlands and forest places. I couldn’t see a problem with the road, I think it will bring benefits to the area.”
The proposal had previously attracted criticism during public consultation phases. Objections cited potential impacts on biodiversity, ancient woodland, flood risk, traffic safety, over-tourism, the Welsh language, and an oversupply of holiday units.
In 2018, Pentir Community Council raised concerns regarding the project’s size and potential effects on the nearby Bro Infryn estate.
More recently, in 2023, Llandygai Community Council recommended refusal, pointing to what it described as “more than sufficient” holiday accommodation already existing in the area.
For outdoor hospitality operators, this decision underscores the importance of engaging with community stakeholders, aligning development proposals with local planning policies, and demonstrating tangible local economic benefits.
Developers considering similar projects may need to ensure that environmental concerns are thoroughly addressed and that proposals reflect the capacity and character of the host community.