A businessman’s dream of moving his family to Wales and creating a tourism hotspot turned into a nightmare as planning authority rejections forced him to return to England. Peter Dive, from Suffolk, purchased 20 acres of land and derelict properties in Trawsfynydd in the Eryri national park in February 2023. His vision included revamping the Rhiw Goch Inn into a pub, setting up luxury cabins, and reintroducing tobogganing and skiing.
However, issues arose when the national park authority halted work on the bungalow he planned to reside in, citing the need for additional permissions due to its proximity to the listed inn. Despite spending thousands on failed planning applications, Mr Dive faced setbacks, with the bungalow remaining uninhabitable. Eventually, he moved his children back to England as the project became unviable.
The national park authority highlighted the need for a heritage impact assessment, stating that the bungalow falls under the protected status of the inn, requiring adherence to stricter regulations. Mr Dive expressed frustration at the lack of guidance from the authority, leading to his decision to leave Wales.
While approved applications from 2021 for the site remain active, the necessity of meeting heritage standards poses a challenge for Mr Dive. Despite his efforts to collaborate with the authority, he felt unsupported and drained financially by fruitless applications. The ongoing planning saga resulted in Mr Dive abandoning his Welsh venture, citing the lack of assistance and the impracticality of continuing amidst bureaucratic hurdles.
The struggle faced by Mr Dive illustrates the complexities of navigating planning regulations in heritage sites, emphasizing the importance of clear communication and support for individuals embarking on property projects.