A RETROSPECTIVE planning application for an oversized beach hut has been refused - leaving its future hanging in the balance.

As part of their objection to the “industrial looking” beach hut on Borth Mawr on Abersoch, Llanengan Community Council had asked whether Gwynedd Council was considering asking applicant James Middleton of Llanbedrog to tear down his beach hut and rebuild it to the dimensions originally agreed upon in a previous application in 2015.

The local council also asked whether a fine for Mr Middleton would be feasible.

The county council has said it is considering “appropriate steps”.

Mr Middleton was granted permission to demolish an existing beach hut at Abersoch in 2015 and rebuild it with one of similar proportions and appearance.

But the new hut is said to be significantly bigger than its predecessor, has a large platform in front, and is made of concrete and steel.

It is nearly one metre taller than its neighbouring huts, and measures 5.7 metres by 5.5 metres in floor area, much larger than the 5.5-metre by 3.7-metre measurements originally approved in 2015.

The owner is asking for retrospective planning permission to be granted for the new larger beach hut – but planning officers rejected the application at a meeting on Monday, 24 September.

A Gwynedd Council spokesperson confirmed: “At Monday’s council planning committee, members refused an application regarding the construction of a new beach hut which has not complied with condition 2 of a planning permission from July 2015. Following the committee’s decision, the council will be considering the appropriate steps to resolve the matter.”

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