PLANS to upgrade the facilities at a Gwynedd campsite to include six “glamping pods” has been given the green light.

Gwynedd councillors unanimously agreed to allow changes at the well-established Tyddyn Adi Caravan and Camping Site at Morfa Bychan.

The applicants Mr and Mrs Wyn Pritchard had asked if they could have ten touring units and six glamping pods in lieu of 25 tents.

The site, on the road leading to Black Rock Sands, two miles from Porthamdog, Bychan has various permissions for tents and touring units.

A previous certificate was for 75 tents to use at the field in question, and the application sought to exchange 25 of those tents for ten touring units and the six pods.

The full application also includes landscaping between the caravan pitches and landscaping to enclose the pod sites.

The council’s planning committee heard on Monday that the site had been long-established as a camping and touring caravan park.

The site is open to visitors from March 1 until October 31, and there was no intention to change this.

It was outlined that the the pods would not be permanent – but were in fact mobile with a tow-bar and wheels.

The pods were described as only having one room to include a bed, small kitchen with a microwave and fridge.

Pod users would still use the existing camp toilet and washroom facilities and did not require any extra drainage facilities.

Pods also could be moved and stored over the winter.

Officers concluded the units were therefore ‘touring and mobile’ type units – they would be considered under policy TWR 5 which applied to touring caravan, camping and temporary alternative accommodation sites.

The site also had a certificate of lawful use authorising it to use of the field to the east for 150 tents.

The council heard the site’s design layout and appearance was “acceptable”, and the units were unobtrusive and well hidden, and there was a reduction of risk due to slightly fewer people using the site.

The camp site had also met Welsh language policy, risk and biodiversity criteria.

Local member Porthmadog Councillor Gwilym Jones said he approved of the development.

The plans were unanimously approved with conditions as per the council’s recommendation.