A proposed £1.5m extension of a Gwynedd garden centre has been given the go-ahead by planners.

The move, which will create 18 jobs, will see an extension of the current facilities at Fron Goch which is on the outskirts of Caernarfon.

Together with alterations to the car park, passed by officers without the need to go in front of Gwynedd Council’s Planning Committee, the approved development will also see a cold glasshouse and new entrance canopy put in place.

Also backed by Caernarfon Town Council, the supporting statement noted that while Fron Goch’s success has seen it evolve to now employing 88 members of staff, the “ever present threat” from internet based retailers means that the business needs to adapt.

Noting that many customers still want to actually see the plants before buying, it stated: “Given the vagaries of the British climate it is essential for a garden centre to be able to display plants in a weather protected environment that prevents them from deteriorating as a result of frost, wind and rain.

“By creating a new customer entrance into the plant market this means that all customers will be exposed to the seasonal plant offer in the new structure and they will then proceed through the existing plant canopies before accessing the shop.”

It went on to note, “The proposed development represents a large investment in the site to allow it to continue and enhance its contribution to the local and rural economy.

“The development has been designed with its countryside setting in mind, it will create an attractive frontage to the garden centre and building will continue to be located within the developed part of the site.”

Recently the business was named the top centre in Britain at the UK Garden Centre Association awards, which was described by managing director, Justin Williams, as a “huge honour”.

He told the Daily Post, “I cannot thank our team enough, it is down to their fantastic hard work, their expertise and their passion for their work that we have achieved this, alongside the incredible support we have had from the community.

“We love being part of the community here, we see our customers day in, day out and it does feel like a big family. ”