A popular wedding venue in the Vale of Glamorgan is facing council action due to a massive marquee that has been erected on its land without planning permission. The Vale of Glamorgan Council is seeking approval from its planning committee to issue an enforcement notice to Dyffryn Springs in Wenvoe regarding the unauthorized structure, which has been deemed to have a detrimental impact on the landscape.
Originally, the venue had permission to set up a temporary marquee, but it later replaced it with a permanent structure. Despite applying for retrospective planning permission for the marquee after a complaint was lodged in January 2023, the council rejected the application in March 2024, citing concerns over the marquee’s design and visual impact on the surroundings.
According to a planning report by the Vale of Glamorgan Council, the marquee’s white glossy material stands out starkly against the green landscape, making it highly visible from various viewpoints. The council also raised concerns about the light emitted by the marquee at night, which could further impact the area negatively.
While Dyffryn Springs had an initial approval for a temporary marquee from 2009, the current permanent marquee, resembling the previous one, has been in place since at least March 2022. The council’s report highlights that the installation of a larger permanent marquee deviates from the original consent and creates an incongruous structure in the countryside.
If the council’s enforcement notice is sanctioned during a planning committee meeting on September 26, Dyffryn Springs will be obligated to dismantle the marquee and clear the site of all related items. Failure to comply could result in legal action, as indicated in the council report.
Dyffryn Springs has not yet responded to requests for comments on the situation. The potential enforcement notice signifies a significant development for the popular wedding venue, as it faces the prospect of dismantling the marquee that has caused controversy among local authorities.