A decision to award planning permission for a £13m redevelopment of a Pen Llyn holiday park has been delayed.

Officers recommended approving the proposals at Hafan y Môr near Pwllheli, but concerns have been raised over the scale of the plans – described as “overdevelopment” by one councillor – members voted to delay making a decision until they can visit the site.

As well as the demolition of 56 two-storey ‘Butlins’ apartments, proposals also involve a new beach café with terrace and play area, as well as fresh coastal defences.

There are also proposals for 154 new static caravans and two replacement buildings for staff accommodation with the entire development spread over seven separate parcels of land.

Haven said 58 full-time jobs would be created after the scheme was completed, as well as over 200 building roles during construction, adding that all roles are advertised locally first.

While the local member expressed support for the scheme at Monday’s planning meeting, others cited the opposition of Llannor Community Council, which claims that it had not been made clear how many additional statics were proposed, and questioned the impact on existing caravan sites in the area, also raising concerns regarding the re-routing of the coastal path on any public right to access. They also questioned how the development fit into Gwynedd’s plan for sustainable tourism.

Cllr Peter Read, county councillor for Abererch, welcomed the “modernisation” of the site and replacement of the former chalets, lauding the efforts of management while also welcoming proposed new jobs.

“The workers and contractors are almost all local Welsh people; I’m very supportive of their efforts,” he added.

Cllr Edgar Owen described Haven as a “good employer”, stating employment must be available locally to keep people in the area.

Cllr Simon Glyn, however, noted “significant concerns”, describing the proposals as “overdevelopment”.

He said: “They want to extend the staffing quarters by creating 76 new units. Local people don’t need to live on site so its clear that if they want to build these the intention is to bring more workers from further afield.”

Cllr Louise Hughes described the proposals as displaying “colossal arrogance” and said “money talks,” claiming it was not possible for councillors to make an informed decision without visiting the site.

She said: “It’s at least six times bigger than Llanegryn, where I live. When will they be satisfied, when it reaches Aberdaron? The Llyn Peninsula won’t be Llyn if we carry on like this.

“The pat on the head of offering, ‘yes you can have a job cleaning or waitressing’, just adds insult to injury.”

Some councillors raised reservations about visiting the site due to Covid, but members voted to hold an in-person inspection pending the results of a risk assessment, and the application will be re-presented for decision next month.