New station to go ahead as heritage railway wins appeal

NATIONAL PARK BODY MUST ALSO PAY COSTS TO COMPANY

- By DALE SPRIDGEON

PLANS for a new heritage railway station at Beddgelert which hit the bumpers after being rejected by national park planners can now go ahead after winning an appeal.

The Ffestiniog Railway Company appealed to the Planning and Environment Decision Wales [PEDW] over a decision by the Eryri National Park Authority to reject plans for the new station.

This appeal has been won, and a separate appeal for costs against the park was also awarded to the railway, with the amount awarded yet to be decided.

The decision is due to be discussed at the park's next planning meeting tomorrow.

Beddgelert Station forms part of the Welsh Highland Railway, which brings thousands of people to the village known for its scenic beauty, riverside cafes and pubs and Gelert's Grave.

The plans concerned “construction of a new railway station on an existing concrete slab” submitted on May 13, 2024 and rejected on July 15, 2024, according to Welsh Government inspector Richard Duggan.

The inspector's report describes station plans back in 2006, when an application for a ticket office, toilets, waiting room, cafe and sale of souvenirs was approved with conditions.

At the time, a concrete slab was laid in preparation of work.

Conditions had included limiting souvenir sales and cafe use, but were later successfully appealed.