Plans to turn an outdoor activity centre near Llangorse Lake into a year-round holiday camp open to all visitors have been approved by Bannau Brycheiniog planners.

In May, UK Green Parks Brecon Ltd submitted a planning application to change the use of land and buildings at the Royal Oak Camp, which previously provided overnight accommodation for school children using the site’s activity facilities. The camp is located around 100 metres north of Llangorse Lake.

The company intends to open the site for overnight holiday stays for the general public, not just school groups. The plans also include converting three existing buildings into holiday cottages, reconfiguring the car park, and improving the existing on-site restaurant.

The Royal Oak activity centre fell into administration and ceased operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Planning agent Charly Stringer of Avison Young Ltd stressed in arguments in favour of the proposal that the scheme would “revitalise the site.”

The different clientèle that could use the facility would be “higher yield” and would spend locally “ensuring” the campsite makes a “valuable” contribution to the economy.

Bannau Brycheiniog planning case officer Alan Southerby said: “Overall there is no basis on which the altered holiday occupation of the approved pods and extended season could be regarded as contrary to policy.”

Likewise, Mr Southerby had no problem with building being converted into holiday cottages and did not put any conditions to limit the restaurant use.

Mr Southerby continued: “The development plan position is supportive of the scheme in that it helps deliver the social and economic aspirations of policy in relation to community wellbeing and tourism.

“Planning Policy Wales (PPW) sees tourism as vital to economic prosperity and job creation in Wales and requires the planning system to encourage tourism where it contributes to economic development and rural diversification.

“Tourism related development is rural areas is an essential element in providing for a healthy and diverse economy and that a rural economy must develop a wide base if it is to be adaptable and resilient to the challenges it faces now and in terms now and in the future.”

Mr Southerby added: “In line with statutory provisions, the application has been found to be acceptable in this respect and is recommended for approval.”