The artist's impression of what the new cafe will look like

The cafe at the summit of Snowdon - which plays host to 400,000 walkers and train visitors each year - is being redeveloped at a cost of �5.9m

After a long period of consultation, planners have come up with a smaller building than in the original design submitted two years ago.

The new cafe will incorporate non-reflective glass, with the roof line softened to blend in with the stone at either ends, and the colour of the stone will be close to the greyness of the sky.

It all adds up to a stark contrast to the present building, designed by Sir Clough Williams Ellis - the man behind the Italianate village of Portmeirion a few miles away on the Gwynedd coast.

Prince Charles has refused to comment on the new plans

The large concrete bunker built in 1936 made it on to the Prince of Wales' list of "carbuncles" and was labelled an eyesore.

However, the prince has not offered his opinion on the new design.

His office said he was "unable to get involved in individual planning issues".

Modifications have been made to the original plans following a long consultation process after the facelift was first put forward nearly four years ago.

The latest proposal has dropped a planned winter refuge after the Snowdonia National Park Authority canvassed opinion from interested groups - including people living and working nearby.

Economic climate

After discussions with the British Mountaineering Council and mountain rescue teams, the park authority said it was decided refuge could encourage people in trouble on the mountain "to take a step too far by pushing to the summit".

Snowdonia National Park Authority's Acting Chief Executive David Archer said the foot-and-mouth outbreak had shown the importance of the tourist industry to the economic climate in Snowdonia.

"It is of paramount importance for us to improve the provision to people who visit the highest mountain in England and Wales."

The authority is working with a number of agencies on the scheme to redevelop the cafe - including the Snowdon Mountain Railway which transports many visitors up to the site.

On Friday, opera star Bryn Terfel - who is originally from Pantglas near Caernarfon - took a trip up Snowdon on the railway to officially launch it for the summer season.