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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
Resolved that the Minutes of the Gower National Landscape Advisory Group meeting held on 22 June 2026 be approved as a correct record.
Resolved that the proposal be endorsed.
Introductions were made by Members of the Group, including from Officers in attendance.
In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no interests were declared.
Decision as recorded
Resolved that the Minutes of the Gower National Landscape Advisory Group meeting held on 22 June 2026 be approved as a correct record.
Resolved that the Minutes of the Gower National Landscape Advisory Group meeting held on 22 June 2026 be approved as a correct record.
Jake Cosgrove, Communities & Nature Project Officer presented a “For information” report to inform the Gower National Landscape Advisory Group of new member updates, new observers and remind of the reappointment of the Gower National Landscape Advisory Group in Spring 2027. The following changes were listed for information: • Councillor Lyndon Jones had replaced Councillor Paxton Hood-Williams who sadly passed away in June; • Councillor Sam Hughes hade replaced Phil Ogleby; • Alison Probert had replaced Alan Kearsley-Evans as the National Trust representative.
One Member update from the Gower Society was provided for information. Jake Cosgrove, Communities and Nature Project Officer suggested that all members provide either a written or verbal update at the next meeting.
The Gower National Landscape Team Update was provided for information. Further information could be obtained from the Countryside Team Leader.
Ursula Jones, Gower National Landscape Project Officer provided a verbal update on the Management Plan Review. She explained that Land Use Consultants had prepared a draft Gower Partnership Plan containing a vision, aims, objectives, and policies. Partners would use the policies to develop actions and action plans, and the next stakeholder consultation would focus particularly on whether partners could support and deliver those policies. The draft plan was supported by a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and a Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA). These would assess the effects on the natural and historic environment and designated sites, including Special Areas of Conservation such as the Burry Inlet. The revised documents had been sent to Natural Resources Wales and Cadw for statutory consultation; NRW would review the plan, SEA, and HRA, while Cadw would review the SEA. Once statutory comments were received, the team would update the draft plan and consult stakeholders, including the Gower Advisory Group. An in-person drop-in event had been scheduled for 21 October at Reynoldston Village Hall from 2- 4 pm with the draft plan to be circulated two weeks beforehand. A Land Use Consultant representative would also be present. Mike Scott, Countryside Team Leader stated that invited themed workshops would take place on the morning of 21 October for farmers, commoners, conservationists, and tourism users. The workshops were intended to gather focused comments from groups affected by particular policies and feed those comments into the redrafting process. The team had already received just under 500 comments through earlier online consultation and workshops. Following the October engagement and a final revision, the plan was intended to be submitted to Council or Cabinet for adoption as statutory planning guidance in January 2027, or early February at the latest, to avoid a delay during the pre-election period (in advance of the Local Government Elections May 2027).
Eilian Jones, Development Manager provided an update on the Article 4 direction. He explained that Welsh Government had created a new use class for temporary recreational camping, allowing use for up to 60 days per calendar year generally, but only 28 days within protected landscapes such as the Gower Landscape Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The previous rules allowed 28 days without the same restrictions; Swansea Council’s existing Article 4 direction had removed permitted development rights in the Gower area, meaning camping proposals previously required planning permission. The new permitted development right did not apply to several locations, including land associated with listed buildings or scheduled monuments, flood zones 2 and 3, and land within 100 metres of a dwelling. Where permitted development might apply, applicants must seek a determination from the local planning authority before each calendar year’s use begins, covering toilet and wastewater facilities, waste disposal, and vehicle access. Camping without planning permission or prior approval might be unauthorised and subject to enforcement. He went on to confirm that the Council had agreed to monitor the position for two years before deciding whether a new Article 4 direction was justified. Planning officers would review prior approval and planning applications, approvals and refusals, proposed camping days and pitches, appeal outcomes, enforcement complaints, breaches, and potential impacts on landscape, highways, amenity, and infrastructure. The Development Manager asked community groups and their networks to provide any information about unauthorised camping or other relevant impacts so the Council could record and investigate it. It was noted that evidence from 2027 applications might provide a stronger basis for assessing whether the new legislation was effective. The Welsh Government guidance and the standard prior-approval application form could be circulated if required. In response to a question regarding whether scheduled monuments had a defined distance comparable to the 100-metre dwelling exclusion, the Officer stated that he would check the regulations and report back in writing. Assessment might also need to consider the setting and visual impact of a monument, as well as the curtilage of listed buildings. Judith Doyle also offered to consult her Cadw contacts in order to clarify the query.
Decision as recorded
Resolved that the proposal be endorsed.
Tawny Clark, Gower National Landscape Project Officer presented a report which sought endorsement from the Gower National Landscape Advisory Group for a proposal to replace a section of overhead powerline with underground cabling in Broughton, Gower. Resolved that the proposal be endorsed.
The Group discussed the substantial increase in motorhomes, campervans, and free camping on Cefn Bryn and elsewhere in Gower, including Fairwood Common, Pennard, Three Cliffs, Pennard Burrows, and Penclawdd. Reported effects included vehicles driving off established tracks, moving stones, informal occupation, human waste and toilet paper, litter, smoking-related debris, antisocial behaviour, and complaints from residents and visitors. It was noted that the existing stones intended to restrict vehicle access on Cefn Bryn were too small and were repeatedly moved, including near routes toward King Arthur’s Stone and an old pump-house track. Larger, suitable stones or more complete physical barriers were required. It was also acknowleded that barriers and height restrictions could affect the landscape and legitimate daytime users. The Countryside Team Leader explained that overnight camping was primarily the landowner’s responsibility, limiting the Council’s ability to move vehicles from land it did not own. Police and ranger patrols that previously helped manage the issue had not operated regularly for several years, and enforcement was particularly difficult because activity occurred during evenings and weekends. The group was asked to keep reporting locations and incidents so priorities could be assessed with landowners. A Council group had previously considered small “Aires sites” at locations including Bracelet Bay, Clyne Valley Country Park, Knab Rock, and the Marina. The proposed model would provide roughly three to five spaces for up to three nights, with basic water and grey or black water disposal, for an indicative charge of about £10 per vehicle per night. Bracelet Bay remained under consideration after Natural Resources Wales (NRW) raised concerns about the proposed waste-disposal location, however the plan was currently being revised rather than refused. Other certified locations were identified such as Brit Stops at suitable pubs, rugby-club facilities, and possible pub arrangements where visitors stay overnight after purchasing food or drink. It was noted that certified sites may be less visible or require caravan-club membership, while others commented that the central issue was that some visitors specifically sought free, remote locations rather than a lack of available paid sites. The group considered producing National Landscape information explaining why wild camping was discouraged and signposting official campsites, air sites, pubs, rugby clubs, and other alternatives. Participants also noted that websites and apps such as Park4Night could publicise remote locations and help users avoid enforcement, so information campaigns might not resolve the problem alone. The Countryside Team Leader committed to trying to identify more suitable stones for Cefn Bryn and asked participants to continue reporting problems.
Jake Cosgrove reminded the group that the Sustainable Development Fund was available to designated landscapes in Wales and could support projects involving nature conservation, wildlife, culture, landscape, and nature recovery, provided they aligned with the Well-being of Future Generations Act and the Environment Act. Whilst this year’s allocation was fully committed, approximately £58,000 was expected to be available next year. The Officer asked anyone with project ideas to begin discussions early so applications could be prepared in time for funding from April 2027.
Jake Cosgrove informed the Group that the Gower Forum was scheduled for 27 January 2027 at Reynoldston, with the agenda still to be confirmed. The event would aim to bring the Management Plan to life, showcase projects, and highlight work taking place across Gower.
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