ARGOED LWYD MOUNTAIN CENTRE, BRECON BEACONS NATIONAL PARK - DINING ROOM EXTENSION AND ALTERATIONS

1. Argoed Lwyd Mountain Centre lies just south of Brecon, within the Brecon Beacons National Park and near to the National Park Visitor Centre. The building, originally constructed around 1850, was purchased by the County Council in 1992, opened in 1993 and comprises a converted 19^th Century traditional Welsh farmhouse with an attached annexe and longbarn. The accommodation currently provides for a total of 46 visitors in bunk beds. The farmhouse and longbarn each have dedicated facilities comprising self contained rooms, dining room and kitchen and will sleep 22 and 14 persons respectively. In addition, an annexe containing 10 beds can be used flexibly with either of these two units.

2. The dining facilities at the farmhouse are currently inadequate for the 22 persons it serves; this is particularly apparent, for example, when a single group use the whole centre and wish to eat together as a group. Furthermore, the dining facilities do not offer any flexibility of use and pose a potential health and safety concern due to current access arrangements and the serving of hot food and drink in a confined area.

3. Following a careful examination of requirements, a design project appraisal has now been approved by the Executive Member which, in summary, comprises proposals for a new extension and the reconfiguration of accommodation at the Centre to provide a new dining room, which can be used as a flexible work space.

4. The total value of this exciting scheme is £336,400 including fees, and when completed, will enable the Centre to be used to its full capacity without compromising health and safety

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