A SOOTHING South American vibe will be coming soon after a planning application to create an “alpaca experience” business near Meifod was approved by Powys County Council planners.

In late 2020 Helen Cooksley of Maesnewydd submitted a planning application to change the use of a barn at her property so that it becomes a classroom, and to build another barn in which to keep more alpacas.

Miss Cooksley explained in her application that she already has six alpacas at the small holding, and hoped to grow a bigger herd.

In the documents submitted in support of the application, Miss Cooksley had explained that the “business model” would be based around health and well being.

She believes the soothing experience of feeding and taking the alpacas for walks “promotes relaxation and calm,” and will help people with long term health issues such as pain management, depression and anxiety.

The application had faced opposition from Meifod community council, who feared it would cause a “disturbance and nuisance” and said there was no business plan with the application.

Environment body Natural Resources Wales had also expressed concerns over the site's location in an official flood zone.

But the plans were given the green light, and in a report Powys planning officer Rhys Evans explained the reasons.

Mr Evans said: “The proposal is part of a farm diversification scheme and would reuse a suitable rural building in accordance with the requirements of policy.

“It is noted that third party correspondence has raised concern that no business plan has been submitted as part of the application.

“However, there is no requirement to submit a business plan within relevant planning policy and therefore this information has not been requested.”

On the flooding issue, Mr Evans said that as the shelter is considered a “less vulnerable development”.

The policy on flood zones such as this site, is that residential developments should not be built there but other structures – such as barns – can be.

Mr Evans added that the development “compliments” an existing tourist development without detracting “from the overall character and appearance of the area”.

Alpacas come from South America and are distantly related to camels, but are much smaller. Adults are usually less than a metre tall.

They are kept in herds that graze on the level heights of the Andes of Southern Peru, Western Bolivia, Ecuador and Northern Chile at an altitude of 3,500 to 5,000 metres above sea level.

They have been bred for their fleeces for around 5,000 years, as it has been found that the fibre is naturally water and fire resistant.