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The owners of a farm near Bedwas have been successful in their bid to house four self-catering accommodation pods on their land.

The holiday business forms part of a “diversification scheme” and will run alongside owners the Davies family’s agricultural operations at Ty Isaf Farm.

Caerphilly County Borough Council refused a previous attempt to secure planning permission for the pods, in 2024, over concerns about an “increased loss of open countryside”.

Planning officers have approved the revised plans, after judging they are “compliant” with the council’s policies.

They noted the new application includes a commitment to replace any trees lost to development at a rate of three to one, and “biodiversity enhancements” such as shelters and boxes for toads, hedgehogs, birds and bats.

The council’s landscape architect judged that within the new plans, ”efforts have been made to accommodate the proposed pods where the impact on existing trees is reduced”.

The officer also said “adequate compensation” had been provided for any trees which are lost.

A senior arboricultural officer at the council told planners the proposed development “has much to commend in its revised form”.

In documents submitted to the council, planning agent Reading Agricultural Consultants said the farm’s existing tourism business, which is currently based on one pod, has been “a success”.

The “ethos” of the business is “to provide a simple and yet sustainable retreat for guests”, the agent added.

Officers granted planning permission for the development, subject to a series of conditions including rules around landscaping, the submission of a biodiversity management plan, and the installation of protective fencing for trees during the construction period.