Airbnb host's 'party cabin' plans rejected after 'prison watchtower' torn down

Plans to build an Airbnb garden room dubbed a "party cabin" by neighbours has been refused by a council planning committee.

Jim Oates, of JAM Domestic Properties Ltd, applied for permission to create a "cube-shaped" building on the platform of a previous structure which had been compared to a "prison watchtower" in Rhos-on-Sea, Conwy county.

Conwy council ordered the original structure – which did not have planning permission – to be demolished after a planning appeal was dismissed.

At a planning committee meeting, councillors voted in favour of refusing the plans despite officers being "minded to grant" it.

In objection letters sent to the council, neighbours had criticised the latest proposal as "excessive in scale" and "visually intrusive", warning it was "out of keeping with the established character" of Tan y Bryn Road.

Residents also feared the new proposal, measuring 4.2m (14ft) by 3.6m (12ft) with a height of 2.5m (8ft), could cause noise and disturbance with their gardens being overlooked by Airbnb guests.

Councillor Goronwy Edwards proposed councillors refuse permission on the basis of protecting the environment and local character.

He also cited the structure being a business venture potentially harming residents and the area.

Edwards said due to the elevation of the site it would be "extremely prominent from the surrounding area" and described it as a "commercial enterprise", adding: "I know myself when I go away on holiday, I aim to enjoy every moment of that and party on!".

He said: "This is the sort of facility I would see happening here, and in no doubt would cause inconvenience to the residents, so I would recommend that we refuse this application."

The matter will return for debate at the next planning committee meeting after the councillors went against officers' recommendation.