Planning in a National Park is rightly thorough. Our goal is to submit a well-coordinated application that clearly explains the need, the design thinking, the environmental strategy and the community benefits, with the right technical evidence to support each part.

A full planning submission to the National Park Authority

Drawings, reports and evidence prepared by specialists

Ongoing design refinement in response to feedback

A clear record of community engagement and outcomes

We want the process to feel transparent and understandable. As the application progresses, we will update this page with key milestones and plain-English summaries of what happens next.

Our architects, George & Co, Merthyr Tydfil, are responsible for shaping the overall masterplan and the design of the buildings — ensuring the farmhouse, barns and Ty Vaynor elements work as a coherent, landscape-led group with a strong sense of place.

Sensitive reuse of existing buildings where possible

New elements designed at a rural, appropriate scale

Materials and forms that reflect local character

Clear relationships between rooms, courtyards and gardens

The architectural ambition is understated and confident: a farmstead that evolves carefully, feels rooted in the valley, and avoids the visual overstatement that would be out of place here.

Our planning team, ASBRI based in Cardiff, guides the application strategy and ensures every element of the scheme aligns with relevant National Park, Welsh and local policy — including sustainability, landscape protection and community outcomes.

Policy-led justification for the project’s purpose and scale

Coordination across the full consultant evidence base

Clear planning narrative tying buildings and benefits together

Support for proportionate, compliant documentation

Their role is to keep the submission coherent, thorough and realistic — presenting a balanced case for a small, high-quality hospitality and landscape restoration project within a protected setting.

Our Landscape Design and Architecture team are central to Penrhadw’s planning case. Their work ensures the development is led by the landform and character of the Taf Fechan valley and that green infrastructure is integrated from day one.

Landscape-led site design and planting structure

A proportionate Landscape Visual Appraisal (LVA)

Integration of SuDS, biodiversity and access into plans

Long-term stewardship across the wider 20 acres

This is where the project’s “feel” is shaped — not just what the buildings look like, but how the whole place will mature, soften and settle into the National Park landscape.

Our ecologists, Little Wings, Brynmawr, assess existing habitats and species, then help shape a strategy that protects what’s valuable and measurably improves ecological quality across the site over time.

Baseline surveys to understand current conditions

Habitat creation and connectivity across the landholding

Biodiversity enhancement measures built into design

Practical management approaches for long-term gain

The aim is a scheme that supports nature recovery in a credible, deliverable way — ensuring the environmental value of Penrhadw increases rather than simply being displaced. goes here

ARBTS based in Ystradgynlais are our Arboricultural specialists managing our tree and woodland considerations, who advise on retention, protection and new planting — aligned with the landscape and biodiversity strategy.

Assessment of existing trees and boundary features

Root protection and construction safeguards

Guidance on native species and planting structure

Strengthening hedgerows and woodland-edge character

This helps ensure that mature landscape assets are protected during construction and long-term, while also supporting a clear, future plan for new trees that enhance the valley setting.ion goes here

ASBRI Transport, based in Swansea, are our transport consultant, assessing how guests, residents and visitors will arrive and move through the site — with a focus on active travel, village paths and bridleways, the role of the bus service and community car park.

Safe and legible access and internal circulation

A carefully sited car park with landscape integration

Consideration of peak-period village conditions

Support for lower-impact travel options over time

This work is important not just for compliance, but for trust: demonstrating how the project can help relieve pressure and improve visitor management rather than adding avoidable strain.

Formant Acoustic are specialists based in Abergavenny help ensure the hotel, restaurant and outdoor spaces are designed to protect the character of Pontsticill — particularly during summer evening use and busier seasonal periods.

Assessment of likely noise sources and sensitive receptors

Design inputs for layout, screening and operating approach

Consideration of garden and terrace use

Mitigation aligned with a responsible management plan

This reinforces our commitment to being a respectful neighbour. The aim is a lively but controlled hospitality offer that sits comfortably alongside residential life.

Our civil engineering and SuDS work is being led by Bear Consulting, Cardiff, ensuring that access, levels, drainage and water management are designed in a way that is both technically robust and landscape-led. In a valley setting like this, managing rainfall responsibly is essential — not just for compliance, but for long-term resilience and environmental quality.

Site levels and earthworks shaped to minimise visual impact

Surface water strategy aligned with SuDS best practice

Permeable, nature-led drainage integrated with planting

Coordination with access, parking and construction phasing

Bear’s input helps ensure that the “invisible” parts of the scheme are as carefully considered as the visible ones. The result is a calm, practical infrastructure approach that supports biodiversity, protects the wider catchment, and fits naturally within the National Park landscape.iption goes here