THE owner of a Llanfair Caereinion holiday cottage is seeking to create an ‘Alpaca Experience’ in Meifod.

Powys County Council’s planning department has received a planning application for change of use to convert a barn into a classroom, an animal shelter, and use of a garden area to provide the proposed Alpaca experience business.

In supporting documents, the applicant states: “Alpacas are non-native animals to this country and are classified as pets and not livestock.

“All our alpacas are registered with the British Alpacas Society and we are registered and and certificated with trading standards to provide and alpaca experience on site.

“Our ambition is to run an alpaca experience business alongside the existing holiday accommodation for visiting guest and members of the public.

“This planning application is for the creation of a small alpaca business experience which includes a proposed change of use of the old milking barn to a classroom, a new shelter to house the alpacas and their food.”

As well as providing a retreat, the there will also be arts and crafts activities for people to learn new skills.

The design and access statement adds: “The alpaca business model is based around health and wellbeing to support those with long-term health issues, pain management, depression and anxiety to experience a relaxing and calming experience with the alpacas.

“By teaching weaving classes in the barn as well as activities such as yoga, and meditation combined with access to a small herd of alpacas, we believe this would make a fantastic business model.

“Local artisans have also expressed and interest to teach in the barn to offer more varied courses for visitors and local residents too.

“I have also been in touch with NHS providers for mental health support and have been given details for local professional private businesses who offer mental health support through courses such as Apple a Day, who endorse this project.

“The site is of a size as to not impact on the local landscape nor impact on the local infrastructure, instead it would enhance the area, bringing in visitors and boosting other rural small businesses and supporting the local community.”

Powys County Council planners will consider the application at a future date.