Holiday pod plans for Abercrave farmland

PLANS have been submitted for holiday accommodation to be built at farmland near Abercrave in the very southern tip of Powys,

The application for three holiday pods at Cwmtawe Uchaf Farm has been lodged by Carol Esteban.

The holiday development is seen as a form of farm diversification and economic development.

Agent, Gerallt Davies of Roger Parry and Partners explained the development, which would be aimed at couples and families.

Mr Davies said: “The proposal will provide a holiday let site, which will in turn will provide the applicant with an additional income stream, support the local tourism of the area, and indirectly support local businesses and sites where visitors will visit.

“The application site is on an agricultural field which is surrounded by woodland, part of the land at Cwmtawe Uchaf Farm.

“The existing and proposed trees and topography mean that the site will have limited landscape and visual impact on the area.

“The low-lying nature of the holiday-lets and the existing landscaping means
the pods will be screened from the roadside and views.

It is situated in an area where there are ample tourist destinations, public footpaths and other services, which in turn will ensure the site will be a success.”

“Tourism is a vital component of Powys’ economy, with Powys’ beautiful countryside, combined with its history and culture attracting a vast amount of tourist activity.”

Mr Davies added that tourism equates to seven per cent of Wales’ GDP (Gross Domestic Product.

Figures for 2018 say that GDP for Wales was just under £75 billion.

The proposal if it gets the green light, is said to be of “small scale,” and there would be no foundation dug for the pods.

According to Mr Davies this means that the pods are also not
“permanent in nature”, in that the proposal can be removed from site at any time and return the land to its current agricultural form.

The pods would be connected to a new sewage treatment plant and an existing field track will be used to access the site where there will be hardstanding created for the car parking spaces for vehicles.

Mr Davies said: “Due to the nature of the pods proposed, noise, light or other pollution will not occur, and the lack of permanent lighting proposed as part of this scheme, it will not impact whatsoever on the local residents.”

The plans will be decided by Powys County Council at a future date.