A luxury wedding venue in the countryside is facing a council order to dismantle a large marquee on its grounds amid concerns it's marring the natural beauty of the area. Dyffryn Springs in Wenvoe, outside Cardiff, could soon be served with an enforcement notice by the Vale of Glamorgan council, which believes the structure lacks the necessary planning permission. Previously, the venue had been granted permission for a temporary marquee, but it later erected a permanent one.
Following a complaint lodged with the council in January 2023, the venue sought retrospective planning permission to maintain the structure. However, the council rejected the application in March 2024, citing "harmful design" and "unacceptable visual impact". A council planning report highlighted: "It is evident from the images that in particular the white (generally glossy) material for the marquee roof and walls results in a white building that sits in stark contrast within the rolling green landscape and its position within a valley ensures that it is highly visible from both close and distant views as evidenced above.
" The council also expressed concerns about the light pollution caused by the marquee at night. Dyffryn Springs, which was given permission back in 2009 to erect a temporary marquee for up to four months annually over three years, is now under the council's scrutiny. Aerial photos featured in an official report reveal that while this marquee was used in 2019, a sizable permanent structure.