A DECISION over plans to build 25 holiday chalets in a popular tourist hotspot has been deferred for a month after councillors voted to carry out a site visit.

Anglesey Council’s planning committee were asked to approve the outline plans that would see the chalets built at the empty Treetops site in Benllech  – which the applicants say would create jobs and bring extra visitors to the island.

The plans, submitted by York Design & Construction Ltd, also include a leisure complex including a gym, swimming pool and spa facilities at the former country park.

The agents,  Cadnant Planning, noting in their application that the development would “contribute positively to the local economy and its functionality in providing a tourism role within this area of Anglesey.”

Planning officers had recommended approval, confident that the proposal met planning guidelines.

But concerned at the scale of the plans, local councillors Ieuan Williams and Margaret Murley Roberts both urged the committee to visit the site for themselves before making a decision.

“The scale of the development, proposed for where it is, is not suitable and indeed unwise,” said Cllr Roberts.

“The applicants said that people will walk to the beach but the truth is that they won’t, it’s just too far.

“The roads nearby are narrow and dangerous, this will only compound the situation. When do we reach a saturation point in terms of developments like this in Benllech?

“If you listen to local people, there’s also a lot of doubt over how much such developments contribute to the local economy and a lot of people bring their own supplies with them and don’t use the local shops.”

Cllr Williams added. “The site will stick out like a sore thumb, there is already serious over-development of sites such as this in Benllech.

“The truth is that we don’t need more caravans and chalets in the village.”

It’s expected that Anglesey Council’s planning committee will discuss the application in a month’s time when members next meet on May 1.