A NEW attraction could be built at a Gwynedd tourist hotspot after being given the green light by planners.

Greenwood Family Park is home to the world’s only people-powered roller coaster, alongside a 1,500 sq ft trampoline, a 70 metre Sledge Run and the Solar Splash – the first solar-powered ride in the UK.

But it could soon welcome a brand new attraction after Gwynedd Council planners approved a new play area which the applicants say would also develop an “under-utilised area of the park”.

Taking the form of a “sleeping giant”, the Giant Quest attraction could see two new jobs created at the park, according to Continuum Attractions, which bought the park in June 2017 as a going concern.

The planning statement notes: “The structure will include accessible and inclusive play elements including musical play, an overhead net bridge, physical climbing and play opportunities, a tubular slide, and a climbing tubular tunnel, a look out platform from the top of the Giants Head, and possibly some net play.

“The outward appearance of the structure is intended to look very natural, and any scenic painting will only be carried out in order for it to blend into its surroundings.

“It is the intention to use a combination of hardwoods and softwoods in the

construction.”

It goes on to note that, while the new attraction is not expected to increase visitor numbers “in any significant way”, it will help it refresh and expand its range of attractions and facilities “to remain competitive and increase their length of stay”.

Gwynedd Council planning officers approved the application without the need to go in front of the authority’s planning committee, following support from both the local community council and authority highways officers.

In their report, highways noted: “The Planning Statement and Business Case refer to the new attraction as a feature that is likely to keep existing customers, and increase the length of the visit, rather than something that is likely to lead to a significant increase in visitor numbers.

“As a result the attraction seems unlikely to result in a significant increase in traffic, and I assume that the existing road network, which includes various passing places along the main route to the site from the Gors Bach pub, together with wide parking lanes to the GreenWood site, can cope with the proposal.”