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An application has been resubmitted for a canteen that was previously denied planning permission and is part of a controversial traveller site.

The canteen is based in a portable building on land at the Former Station House, Rhymney – a development which has previously been described as a “headache” for residents.

The applicant, Mr Ronald Jones, was refused planning permission by Caerphilly County Borough Council to use the portable building as a canteen and takeaway in February 2022. 

Now, he has reapplied via his agent, Mr A Vaughan-Harries of Hayston Developments and Planning Ltd to “retain and complete the enhancement and redesign of portabuilding canteen to a takeaway facility”.

The application was received on November 30 and validated on December 1 on Caerphilly County Borough Council’s planning portal.

This is a separate planning application from the one to continue using the land for five traveller pitches, five mobile homes, and five touring and hardstanding caravans.

This application was denied by the council but appealed to the Welsh Government and subsequently approved – with certain conditions –  on July 26. 

This decision was made by an inspector from Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), which was appointed by Welsh Government ministers.

The inspector, however, ruled against the use of the portable building. 

It is “highly visible, conspicuous and completely alien in its surroundings”, the inspector wrote.

“It just doesn’t seem suitable”

Labour councillor for the Twyn Carno ward, Carl Cuss, has previously criticised both the traveller site and the portable building. 

He previously told Caerphilly Observer he thinks the cabin poses a risk to drivers. 

“It distracts people driving past,” he said, adding that the way it looks is not fitting with the local residential area. 

Cllr Cuss continued: “It just doesn’t seem suitable.”

The application can be viewed on the planning portal using reference 23/0838/RET