Glamping park plans as farmer tries to make up for loss of EU subsidy

Farmer I Pughe Jones wants to have four glamping structures and car parking at Pen-y-Graig, Darowen, near Machynlleth.

Penygraig is a beef and sheep farm and the family say they are now looking to diversify.

Agents Roger Parry and Partners said: “The proposals have a degree of separation, but are all situated in two fields on the agricultural holding at Penygraig.

“The applicant proposes the log cabin development as a form of diversification to their existing beef and sheep enterprises.

“This diversification scheme will assist the farm business economical, in bringing in a new stream of income to counter the loss they have had since the phased reform of the single farm payment scheme.

“The proposal will provide a holiday let site, which in turn will support the local tourism of the area and indirectly support local businesses and sites where visitors will visit.”

The development will be split into three different types of building that, if passed, will be let out.

Two of the buildings are planned to be Geodesic Domes.

These would be thin shell type structures based on a geodesic polyhedron, and have triangular elements through them to take the weight.

The other two types are a pod and a tree house.

The agents said: “The varied nature of these will ensure it attracts varied customers and gives a different experience for all visitors.

“The holiday lets will be small scale only catering for couples and primarily timber cladding and glazing.”

Roger Parry and Partners said that they whole scheme has been designed to be “minimal”.

“The beauty and variety of the Powys Countryside creates an attractive area for tourists," they added.

“Tourism is an important element of the rural economy, and it has been estimated that tourism for Wales equates to seven per-cent of the GDP.”

Powys County Council will make a decision in the coming months.

Report by Elgan Hearn, local democracy reporter