A MAN has been left fuming after forking out £200,000 to create an idyllic tourist attraction, only to be stopped by endless "red tape".
Peter Dive thought he was making the investment of a lifetime when he bid on the burnt down, grade II-listed Rhiw Goch Inn, located in the stunning countryside of Eryri, Wales.
The optimistic business owner also bought the surrounding 20-acres of land including lodges, a barn and a bungalow.
He dreamed of transforming the derelict pub into a bustling tourist hub complete with restaurants, glamping pods, tobogganing and ski slopes, as well as a caravan site.
But now his dream project has turned into a living nightmare after being plagued by one objection after another.
These crushing set backs have dashed Peter's future plans, leaving himself and his wife, along with their three kids, sleeping in air beds on a construction site – without heating.
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Peter told WalesOnline: “We’d always wondered about the wrecked house on the side of the hill, and when it came up for auction we decided we wanted to cash in our lives in Suffolk, buy it and make it our dream to transform the place and make it attractive to visit."
Just weeks after starting renovation on the family bungalow, the Eryri National Park Authority forbid any further work.
And their warnings didn't stop there.
Peter, who has developed properties before, said: “I made it very clear to the national park enforcement officers before I bought the Rhiw Goch Inn and land that I had every intention to start living here immediately and to make an income from this place and that I wanted to make it a hub for hospitality and tourists."
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The baffled owner claimed the tourist attractions he was planning have "previously all been on the land with full permission".
But when Peter was just a few days away from completing work on the lodges, the Eryri National Park Authority shut down operations.
“They told me to stop work because they are 'within the curtilage of a listed building' and I need full permission to do anything," explained Pete.
"That was the first I'd heard of that."
In his bid to finish the bungalow extension, Peter applied for a roof – but was told he needed to have a report proving there were no nesting bats.
"There was no roof on the bungalow before I bought the land, there obviously are no bats roosting in it", added the fed-up owner.
"At the moment I've got unfinished doors and a half-plastered bungalow.
"There needs to be some common sense here – as it is it's completely unlivable."
'PLEADING FOR HELP'
National Park officials have also requested an impact assessment for renovations to proceed – despite the derelict nature of the building.
The authority have also halted plans to bring back the Rhiw Goch slopes and bell tents by asking for soil samples.
“The bell tent footings were already in place and the lodges already had permission for holiday lets, so I thought it would be easy to start operating a viable business pretty quickly," Peter added.
He has also been informed he can't create a caravan and camping site due to "traffic and access issues".
"But the main building and lodges have previously hosted tourists and large parties and there have never been access issues," added Pete.
These obstacles have seen the furious owner shell out a whopping £40,000 on unused glamping, camping and other equipment.
He has also forked out an eye-watering £10,000 for legal advice – but he remains where he started.
Eryri National Park Authority said it has never received a "valid and complete pre-application enquiry to enable officers to provide informed advice".
But the dad-of-three claimed to provide pre-planning information and pay a pre-application fee.
"I'm not silly and I've worked with many councils before," he added.
"I've previously emailed councils with pre-planning applications and have asked what I need to do and they've told me.
"But every time I ask Snowdonia National Park for advice they tell me to contact a planning advisor.
"I've sent many emails basically pleading for help. I've asked what I can and can't do."
A determined Peter said he still wants to "work with them" and all he wants is "advice".
MORE RED TAPE
Although Peter has been told "no" numerous times, the site owner did receive planning permission for a restaurant.
But, his plans were squashed again after the authority refused to grant him a temporary pub in the car park.
"I said I’ll use portable units and clad the outside, prove I can run a viable operation and then hopefully get a grant to help with the work to the main building," explained Pete.
"But they’ve said I can’t have the temporary structure."
This crushing news came as the business man had already organised a Michelin-starred chef, employed nine people and hired a contractor.
He said: "It's so frustrating.
"As we've already got planning permission for the restaurant in the ruined main building and the business used to be there, I don't see the problem with having a temporary structure up for now.
"It would enable us to check out the feasibility of a pub there before we are able to renovate the main building."
'IT WAS OUR DREAM'
After making so many grand plans to re-energise the area and bring back tourism to the Rhiw Goch Inn, Peter fears he doesn't have many options left.
The developer is faced with trying to complete renovations amid endless planning refusal or sell the land.
Peter said: "It was our dream to create a pub and restaurant, accommodation, camping and glamping, and to just make it a hub really.
"Now every time I even plaster a wall my family are afraid I’m going to be arrested."
With his family reduced to sleeping in a half-finished bungalow, and no hope for the future, Peter is thinking of giving the property back to the National Park Authority.
A spokesperson for the Eryri National Park Authority said: "Before embarking on new developments or work on or within the curtilage of a listed building, all the necessary consents required by law must be in place.
"Developers are encouraged to submit a pre-application enquiry on more complicated proposals, which is a statutory procedure, to the park authority’s planning service.
"This pre-application enquiry will ascertain whether planning permission is required, and if so, a coherent and informed response on the necessary surveys and reports required for a full planning application will be provided.
"It will also advise on any consents required for listed building restoration work.
"However, developers may also go straight to submitting a planning application without going down the pre-application route should they wish.
"To date, and despite lengthy communications with Mr Dive, the Park Authority is yet to receive a valid and complete pre-application enquiry to enable officers to provide informed advice.
"Until planning officers are provided with an appropriate level of information and details about the proposals, they are unable to provide advice. Similarly, no planning application has been received by the Authority either.
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"All planning decisions are guided by national legislation and planning guidance relating to listed buildings and the statutory Local Development Plan (LDP).
"The LDP applies to anyone wishing to undertake new development. As we suspect there may be unauthorised development on this site, we have advised Mr Dive to cease any works until the necessary consent has been received.”
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