Plans to open a north Wales horse riding school have been approved by councillors despite some local opposition.

Gwynedd Council’s Planning Committee backed plans on Thursday to demolish and replace the existing stables as well as a new indoor riding school building at Llanfair Is-Gaer on the outskirts of Caernarfon.

While the site is already used for riding, this is currently restricted to personal use, with the family hoping to expand and start a business by demolishing the “sub-standard” stables and replacing them with bigger stables and an indoor riding school measuring 61×30 metres with a height of 8.2m.

But the local community council had objected to the plans, near Plas Menai and the banks of the Strait, concerned that the size and height of the proposed building would affect the character and conservation of the area, particularly the ancient church and cemetery nearby.

They went on to claim that the “tranquil experience and atmosphere of the cemeteries will be affected by the noise created by the enterprise.”

But county councillor Gareth Griffith spoke in favour, supporting the view of planning officers that the plans were acceptable due to the measures in place to mitigate any visual impact, while welcoming the potential creation of new jobs.

Iona Jones, the applicant, defended the plans in a video address by making clear her plans to develop a “renowned sustainable riding centre” encouraging both children and adults to nurture and develop their skills in a safe environment.

Aiming to attract between 2,500 and 2,700 customers a year, it was also pointed out that there is a lack of similar facility on this side of the border, with suggested there is a “substantial hidden interest” and demand for horse-riding and horse-jumping in the local area and beyond.

The supporting statement added: “For some years two of Mrs Jones’ children have shown a keen interest in horse riding and in 2012 stables and manège were built to house and equip the horses.

“The children now compete successfully in various local and intercollegiate shows and competitions and the family now has 11 horses.

“Mrs Jones and the children’s vision is to build on the foundations by developing a prestigious sustainable riding centre to encourage the children, young people and adults of north Gwynedd and Anglesey to develop and develop her riding skills in a safe, active and safe environment by building on the current facilities and on the children’s recent competitive success in the show jumping.

“The aim is to create a sustainable riding business within five years which will include indoor and outdoor rider training facilities and stables and exercise and appropriate grazing land for their own horses.”

Cllr Eric Merfyn Jones, who referred to his own “lifetime of breeding horses”, welcomed a local Welsh speaking decided to take the plunge in improving the offering for horse enthusiasts in the area.

The plans were approved unanimously.