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The landowner at Bluebell Woods, near Llanbradach, has backed out of plans to create a five-pitch caravan site on the land, a council cabinet member has announced.
The field, near Llanbradach, has been enjoyed by residents for generations but was dug up by contractors at the end of July.
The owner of the land, believed to be businessman Karl O’Dare, did not seek planning permission before digging up the site – with excavation works stopped by Caerphilly County Borough Council on August 1.
Who is Karl O’Dare?
Karl O’Dare is the managing director of a number of companies, including one called Everything Holidays Ltd.
He is also the managing director of a Newport-based firm called Everything Lettings Ltd, as well as being a pastor at the South Wales Gypsy Church.
Caerphilly Observer has tried to contact Mr O’Dare for comment.
Labour councillor Philippa Leonard, who is the council’s cabinet member for Planning and Public Protection, made the announcement on Friday August 26, following talks with the landowner – and confirmed work would be carried out to restore the fields.
She said: “The landowner has confirmed that the works will not proceed, and follow-up works will now be undertaken to refill the excavations, regrade and landscape the area of the site that was originally considered.”
Cllr Leonard said the council “recognised the public concern from the outset and acted swiftly” and added: “Welcome and meaningful engagement with the landowner was sought straight away.”
On Sunday, August 21, more than 120 residents marched from the Wingfield pub in Llanbradach to Bluebell Wood to protest against its destruction.
Llanbradach community councillor Beci Newton, who was one of the leaders of that protest, welcomed the news and praised the efforts of residents and fellow councillors in raising awareness of the situation.
Cllr Newton, who represents Plaid Cymru, told Caerphilly Observer: “If the community hadn’t responded the way it did, it might not have been acknowledged until there were access issues for the caravans.
“The voice of a whole community is behind this. I know what this means to the village.
“But we won’t take our feet off the pedal until we know this is for definite.”
She thanked the landowner for backing down but conceded: “I’m not sure how much can be fixed – it could take ten years for the bluebells to regenerate.”
In a letter to Plaid Cymru Senedd Members Delyth Jewell and Peredur Owen Griffiths written on August 3, council leader Sean Morgan said the council was expecting a planning application for the excavation works to be submitted to the council. However, this now seems unlikely given the landowner reportedly pulling out of the plans.
What are the rules?
Setting up a caravan club for no more than five caravans does not require a licence from the council, but it still needs planning permission.
All caravan sites need to have planning permission granted before an application for a licence can be submitted.
If the landowner submits a planning application, it will be up to Caerphilly County Borough Council to decide whether or not the caravan site goes ahead.
The way the planning system works is that applications can only be decided on planning grounds and not public opinion.
If officers are looking for a reason to recommend to councillors to turn it down, they could look into the woods’ designation as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC).
If planning is refused, or not even submitted, then the council could go for enforcement action against the owner, potentially to return the site to its original condition.
Meanwhile, bluebells are protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
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