THE Snowdonia National Park planning committee has refused an application for a controversial 58-person holiday home in Dolgellau.

Last week the planning committee rejected a proposal by applicant Mark Sanders to renovate the former council offices on Lombard Street into a ‘Huge Holiday Home’.

The much-discussed decision split the members right down the middle with the planning committee chair Aled Lloyd eventually casting the final decision to dismiss the application.

The plan had upset a portion of the local community with the planning committee receiving 10 letters objecting to the proposal and a petition signed by 25 residents worried about a lack of parking facilities and potential noise and disturbance issues.

Dolgellau Town Council has also objected on grounds of increase in movements and associated problems along the narrow street and that there was no evidence how such a property will be managed day to day.

Applicant Mark Sanders has previously assured the National Park officials that he understood the residents’ concerns but that “websites and trip advisor comments for other properties in his ownership show that the business offered a family hotel for joint celebrations such as 40th wedding anniversaries, 50th birthdays, long week-ends.” not as a base for stag do’s and raucous parties.

He also added his holiday home would serve as “a place to get together for quality time in Snowdonia where there is lots to do and see”.

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