Troedrhiwgwair glamping holiday pods proposals to be discussed

PLANS for a leisure development at the site of an abandoned school near Tredegar have been lodged with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council.
Mr and Mrs Ross Hughes have applied for planning permission to build four glamping pods with integral services and space for vehicles to park at the Old School, Troedrhiwgwair near Tredegar.
The timber-clad pods would be seven metres long and three metres wide, with living/dining area, kitchen, wet room and sleeping area with children’s bunk beds option and could accommodate a family of four.
Documents show that discussion between the Hughes’ and Blaenau Gwent planners on what could be done with the site had taken place back in 2021.
The couple had been advised against a proposal for a residential development as the site is in the “open countryside” and a scheme would be against planning policy.
The site is also in the Cefn Manmoel special landscape area.
Planning agent Roger Field of Crickhowell-based FTAA Ltd explains that the proposal would include “ecological enhancements”, which includes flower planting.
Thought has also been given to the birds and bats that roost near the site.
Mr Field said: “To attract the largest number and range of insects to the garden the aim is to have flowers in bloom throughout the year, including both annuals and herbaceous perennials.
“By growing a diverse range of flowers, the garden can become a great feeding station.
“Tree species such as oak, willow, elder and hawthorn can offer a great supply of food for leaf eating insects.”
Care would be taken not to have a negative impact on bats living near the site.
Mr Field said: “External lighting will be absent from the established tree boundary and plot boundary hedgerows thus creating a series of dark corridors and avoid causing disturbance to roosting bats that commute between the woodland areas.”
Lighting at the pods themselves would be “no higher than the eave” and would not be close to, or shine towards bat access points, their commuting routes and flightlines.
This would help “maintain a dark corridor” and avoid disturbing the roosting bats.
Mr Field said: “The installed bird nesting and bat roosting features will be maintained in perpetuity with future occupiers being made aware of their purpose, function and importance.”
Blaenau Gwent planners are expected to decide the application by June 26. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

By BBC LDRS ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​