A BUSINESS based in one of Gwynedd’s remotest villages has been denied permission to expand due to concerns over the potential impact on neighbours.

Council planning chiefs had received a planning application from the owners of Becws Islyn in Aberdaron, seeking to expand the bakery by adding a single-storey extension and decking to allow customers to sit and eat on the specially-built terrace.

But according to council officers, who have turned down the plans without putting them in front of the authority’s planning committee, the extension would overlook a neighbouring garden.

The extension would also have provided storage and toilet facilities and received no opposition from the local community council nor Gwynedd Council’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) unit.

But the decision notice, which has now been published by Gwynedd Council officially refusing the application, notes: “It is considered that the proposal, especially the cafe part of the extension and balcony, would have an effect on the amenities of the occupiers of local properties, including their garden, due to overlooking and loss of privacy.

“The proposal to extend the property further towards the north west would mean that increased activity, disturbance and noise would be going on directly adjoining Seibiant. The proposal would allow users of the site to come out of the cafe’s bi-fold doors, go up the stairs and use the balcony and it is considered that the proposal as submitted would have an unacceptable adverse impact on the amenity of local residences due to overlooking, loss of privacy, disturbance, noise and increased activity going on directly adjoining their property.

“It is considered therefore that the proposal is contrary to criteria 7 of policy PCYFF 2 and criteria 4 of policy MAN 6 of the Anglesey and Gwynedd Joint Local Development Plan.”

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