Ceredigion planners approve Betws Ifan caravan site plan despite objections

Pilbach Caravan Park’s application, which is partly in retrospect, had caused concern in the locality with a number of county councillors expressing objections at a development control committee on October 14.

Local member Cllr Lyndon Lloyd said: “The whole Betws Ifan community are against this application and claim that there is no justification for changing the planning on site.”

He added there was anger that trees and hedgerows had already been removed and the applicant should meet the requirements of the previous planning permission, not make a new application.

“He’s ignored that permission, ignored the officers and done exactly what he wants,” said Cllr Lloyd.

This was echoed by Cllr Wyn Thomas who said promises had not been kept and Cllr Gwyn James who added that he thought it was “disgusting.”

Other councillors argued that although mistakes had been made the application at Wednesday’s meeting was a new one and must be treated as such, with officers reminding the committee that a breach of a permission is not a reason to refuse a separate application.

A loss of privacy, increased traffic and ecological matters were also highlighted as concerns by the local community.

The well-established park made up of  50 tourers, 15 tents and 70 static caravans was granted permission in 2018 for a change of use of land for 19 caravans, reduced from an initial 25, under delegated powers but the work started on site is “not in accordance with the approved plans.”

The newly approved application sees the site split in two areas with 13 caravans at the northern corner and six at the south west corner of the site.

Plans also include construction of new roadways, relocation of bin compound, improved access, alongside landscaping and ecological enhancement.

The committee voted to approve the plan 11 votes to nine.