The owner of Gateway Resort in Bynea, Llanelli, has been ordered to remove glamping pods, clubhouse extensions, and an underpass, and to stop using land for caravans, after a planning inspector upheld four enforcement notices issued by Carmarthenshire Council.
Ken Strelley, who founded the resort around 25 years ago on the family dairy farm, was given 17 months to comply with the notices, which were issued in March this year. The council alleged planning breaches on parts of the site, including the siting of glamping pods, clubhouse extensions, an underpass, touring caravans, and static caravans.
Appeals Dismissed by Inspector
Mr Strelley appealed against the notices on the grounds that the required steps were excessive. A Welsh Government-appointed planning inspector upheld the notices while making some amendments to the wording.
These amendments included a new line stating there had been a change of use of land for the siting of static caravans for residential use by holidaymakers without planning permission, which had to stop, and that the associated hardstanding had to be removed. Another amendment said the use of land for agriculture had been changed for the siting of caravans for residential use by holidaymakers without permission, and that this had to cease.
Planning Applications Still Live
The inspector's decision report noted that Gateway Resort had an extensive and complex planning history and that applications had been submitted to the council. The report said: "In essence, the appellant's case is that they should be allowed more time so that the applications could be progressed to a positive decision."
The report added: "The appellant and the council can continue to progress the applications and nothing in my decisions fetters that process. The council has stated that should the issues be addressed and permission granted, then any relevant notices could be withdrawn."
Mr Strelley acknowledged the 17-month deadline was "generous" and that he was willing to work with the council. However, the report said: "Notwithstanding this, the appellant has not actually put forward any specific lesser steps or measures which would remedy the breaches. Simply waiting for the applications to be determined is not, in and of itself, a lesser step which would remedy the breaches identified in the notices."
Economic Impact Cited
A planning statement submitted on Mr Strelley's behalf for one of the live applications, a part-retrospective bid for 40 glamping pods, said the resort employed many people and generated in excess of £20m per year into Carmarthenshire's economy according to the council's own estimates.
The statement said: "Gateway Resort is trying to rise to the increasing challenges of what can be a fickle tourism and accommodation market, often heavily influenced by weather patterns, by improving its site layout and providing additional facilities."
Applications relating to the resort were turned down in 2025. Mr Strelley and Gateway Resort were contacted for a response.
