A GLAMPING site bid which a councillor feared would expose neighbours to “shenanigans” has been refused planning permission.

Monmouthshire councillors rejected a recommendation from officers to approve the site between Raglan and Abergavenny, which would include four shepherd huts, four bell tents and hot tubs..

They had previously turned it down at their July planning meeting due to concerns over possible noise from campers.

A report setting out two reasons for refusal and reflecting the concerns raised over the site, known as Swallow Nest which is already home to a herd of alpacas, at Parc Llettis Road in Hardwick, was put before the August meeting.

Planning officer Philip Thomas said the application was considered at odds with two areas of the council’s planning policies.

Those included the scale and layout of the proposed glamping units “particularly the bell tents”, the introduction of a new car parking area and “the associated activity by site users would give rise to unacceptable noise disturbance to nearby residents who currently live in and benefit from a relatively tranquil location”.

Increased traffic using the narrow rural lane to enter and exit the car park was also listed, as it would “significantly inconvenience existing road users and cause harm to local amenity”.

Chepstow Labour councillor Dale Rooke claimed the tents would be too close to the neighbouring property, saying: “Tents are naturally not soundproofed, so any shenanigans going on inside will be heard in the wider vicinity.”

Two shepherd huts are already used for glamping at Swallow’s Nest, and the plans also included an upgrade to the existing alpaca shelter as well as new washing facilities for guests.

The council received 15 objections and councillors also said they were concerned at how water from hot tubs beside each shepherd hut would be stored between guest changeover times.

Other councillors had also raised concerns over noise and traffic along the lane.