Holiday firm Forest Holidays is planning an 拢8.1m investment to introduce 22 new luxury holiday cabins in a forest in Eryri. The company has submitted a proposal to replace 85 caravans and camping pitches with self-contained units at the Forest Holidays Campsite in Beddgelert.
In addition to expanding its existing 16-cabin development, the firm plans to remove 59 touring caravan pitches and 26 camping pitches currently on the estate. The proposal also includes the construction of a new reception and cafe虂 building, along with ancillary facilities, landscape planting, and biodiversity enhancement.
The Eryri National Park Authority planners are set to review the matter. A 'demand, economic and social impact assessment' report included in the application outlines how both Forest Holidays and the Roberts Group plan to expand their sites near Beddgelert village.
The report states: "The proposed developments will provide additional visitor accommodation and will be considered separately by planning authorities". It adds that these are "complementary developments that provide symbiotic impacts and from a socio-economic perspective that can be considered as one entity."
To cater to the ongoing demand from the camping and caravanning community, the Roberts Group plans to increase its capacity at the nearby Cae Du/Cae Canol campsites, according to Forest Holidays' plans.
The site presently features 25 touring caravan pitches and 85 camping pitches, with plans to expand by an additional 85 pitches to cater for both touring caravans and camping. This expansion will form part of a separate planning application.
"This additional capacity will wholly replace the losses at Beddgelert. This investment is estimated at 拢0.3M" the report says.
The report also highlights that the Roberts Group, headquartered in Pwllheli, recently purchased the Cae Du/Cae Canol site. The facility had remained shuttered for five years and had previously "seen limited investment" but reopened in the spring of 2024.
Established in the mid-1970s, Forest Holidays currently operates 13 locations across the 海角视频. Beddgelert represents the most compact Forest Holidays venue, featuring 16 cabins (72 beds), and 85 caravan/camping pitches; every cabin includes hot tubs.
The suggested development would deliver an extra 48 bed spaces, bringing the total capacity to 84 bed spaces. The Forest Retreat at Beddgelert also houses a compact shop and cafe虂; the shop stocks locally sourced produce and essentials.
In-lodge spa treatments are on offer alongside bookable activities including activities such as bike hire, guided walks and backwoods adventures.
The proposal notes in 2023 occupancy on-site was 96%. The facility currently employs 13 full-time staff members.
The proposed development at Forest Holidays signifies an investment of 拢8.1M in construction costs and is expected to create 16 additional part-time roles and one full-time position. The estimated expenditure from extra visitors staying in the proposed additional cabins at Forest Holidays could potentially generate an additional income of 拢642,000 annually.
