Owner Faces Challenges in Converting Electricity Substation into Holiday Let
A former electricity substation on a windswept hill in Swansea might not be the most conventional choice for a holiday destination, but its owner, Roy Price, sees potential in transforming it into holiday accommodation. Purchased along with the surrounding land on Kilvey Hill about two decades ago, Price submitted an application to Swansea Council last year seeking approval to convert the building into a holiday let after receiving planning advice.
Despite being a relatively small space, the substation is located in a secluded area not far from Swansea’s waterfront, offering a unique retreat for visitors. Kilvey Hill itself boasts woodland, panoramic views, and upcoming plans for a variety of leisure activities, making it a potentially attractive destination for tourists. With tourism being a significant contributor to Swansea and Gower’s economy, Price aimed to invest approximately £45,000 in refurbishing the 1950s building into a holiday let, projecting an average weekly rate of £700 for guests.
The proposed accommodation would feature a compact layout, including a small kitchen, seating area, shower, toilet, and a mezzanine level with a double bed. While minimal external modifications were planned, some trees and hedgerows were intended to be removed to improve visibility for access off Headland Road. A tourism needs assessment accompanying the application highlighted the demand for holiday accommodation and the potential benefits of repurposing the substation.
However, Swansea Council’s planning officers raised concerns about the proposal on various grounds, such as insufficient evidence of the accommodation’s viability and necessity in the area, potential environmental impacts from the clearance works, and the lack of details regarding the removal of trees. Despite Price’s efforts to address these concerns and appeal the initial decision with support from planning consultants, the appeal was ultimately dismissed by a Welsh Government-appointed planning inspector.
The inspector cited reasons such as the building’s lack of historical significance, the perceived harm to the area’s character and biodiversity, and the visual impact of clearing greenery for access improvements. While acknowledging the potential for a successful tourism business, the inspector concluded that the project did not align with conservation and visual amenity objectives. Price expressed his surprise at the decision and revealed plans to submit a revised application focusing on alternative access arrangements to address the concerns raised.
In an attempt to balance the preservation of the site’s natural features with the desire to create unique tourist accommodation, Price remains optimistic about the project’s prospects. Despite facing setbacks in the planning process, he remains determined to pursue his vision of repurposing the former substation into a charming holiday let on Kilvey Hill.