PLANS to convert a village pub into holiday accommodation has been approved by the narrowest of margins.

Gwynedd Council’s planning committee discussed an application submitted to turn the former Bull Inn on Deiniolen High Street into self-catering accommodation.

Officers had originally turned down the applicants over concerns that the plans would “cause significant harm to the visual amenities of the area,” but recommended that the amended plans should be approved after deciding that the revised plans were more acceptable.

But several councillors remained unhappy when discussing the application on Monday, raising concerns over a lack of parking spaces and the potential linguistic impact on the village.

Local councillor, Elfed Williams, told the meeting in Caernarfon: "There are concerns in the village, I live nearby and the parking problems are chronic.

“There’s a real lack of spaces and allowing this will only make the problem worse.”

According to the applicants, the facility would offer self-serviced holiday accommodation with eight bedrooms with the former pub cellar converted into a bicycle storage area and games rooms.

The plan also states that there are no similar facilities for large groups and of this quality available locally and that it would be possible to ensure a profitable business on the site.

Planning officers advised members that any refusal on the grounds of parking would be unlikely to be strong enough to withstand an appeal, but many members remained unhappy.

Cllr Owain Williams said: “There could be 20 extra vehicles, and Deiniolen is known for its narrow streets which could cause even more problems.

“In my view that’s reason enough to refuse the application.”

But Cllr Steve Churchman said: “I’ve listened to the discussion about parking but cannot see this development attracting more cars than a pub would.

“The alternatives would be perhaps flats or a few houses, which would attract a similar amount of vehicles, I can’t see the difference.”

When it came to the vote, members were deadlocked at five votes apiece which meant it was down to committee chair, Elwyn Edwards, who cast his casting vote in favour of the development.

According to Cllr Edwards, he supported the application due to fears that the applicant would succeed upon appeal.