A quarry near Newtown could be turned into a 5* holiday park with almost 100 luxury lodges if plans are given the go-ahead by the council.

G.F. Grigg, which is based at Penstrowed Quarry, said the “significant and detrimental” effects of the coronavirus pandemic has placed pressures on the construction business to diversify the industrial site which is currently fully operating with heavy plant machinery.

Owner Graham Grigg is looking to make the most of mid Wales’ multimillion pound tourism industry which has grown significantly over the past 10 years by providing 94 “extremely high quality” and bespoke timber holiday lodges at the 6.7 hectare Penstrowed Quarry for holidaymakers “with higher disposable incomes who appreciate the qualities of the area”.

Other local businesses that have diversified in recent years include the former Trefeglwys shooting range which is now a 5* country and leisure park, and the former golf course near Caersws which now houses luxury lodges.

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Plans submitted to Powys County Council say the proposed luxury holiday park, which would be “unobtrusive with no detrimental visual impacts”, at Penstrowed Quarry could pump more than £2.4 million into the local economy every year, while safeguarding the business and existing five members of staff, and create up to 10 “quality” year-round jobs including receptionist, manager, grounds person, cleaners and general housekeeping.

County Times: Penstrowed Quarry (bottom left) lies west of Newtown (top right)Penstrowed Quarry (bottom left) lies west of Newtown (top right) (Image: Google Street View)

“The type, style and quality of the holiday facility proposed would not impinge upon the current market of existing tourism accommodation in the locality,” planning documents say.

“It would raise the standards of holiday accommodation offered which will have significant beneficial impacts on rural employment and spends within the local economy.”

G.F. Grigg also added that removing the “highly visible” industrial buildings would result in less noise and general construction and industrial processes in the area in favour of creating jobs, supporting local attractions and gain habitat and biodiversity.

“The lodges will provide additional holiday accommodation which will complement the facilities already on offer in the area and enable the enterprise to diversify and safeguard its future.

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“The use is entirely harmonious with the natural environment and the existing enterprise and will cause no harm to the countryside or the amenity of those who live and work in it.”

Plans say that the proposed development would provide a “safe and convenient” access for vehicles and pedestrians, and is unlikely to have an unacceptable impact on the highway network.

Latest data from the Welsh Government states that in mid Wales 13.2 per cent of employment was in the tourism industry in 2020, the largest proportion compared with the other four regions of Wales. However mid Wales has the smallest volume of tourism industry employment in Wales with eight per cent (12,000 people).

Comments for the application 22/1966/FUL can be submitted online or to planning.representations@powys.gov.uk until mid-March.

The target date for a decision by council planners is April 7.