Plans to set up remote working pods at Welsh beauty spot

Saul Cooke-Black, local democracy reporter

Plans to set up pods at a beauty spot in Blaenau Gwent to support remote working have been lodged with panning authorities.

The lodge-style facility at Parc Bryn Bach in Tredegar would provide free Wi-Fi and electrical points to provide a working space set within the popular park.

A planning statement says the co-working pod would benefit from views across a 36-acre lake, where visitors can engage with wildlife.

The facility, which would be delivered by Aneurin Leisure with Blaenau Gwent council, would also include information points to promote wellbeing activities within the area.

The Welsh Government has announced it is developing six flexible working locations in the Valleys Taskforce area, including one at Parc Bryn Bach.

These are being supported with a total of £500,000 in Welsh Government funding.

‘Nature’

The Welsh Government is encouraging an increase in remote working and has set a long-term ambition for 30 per cent of the Welsh workforce to work away from a traditional office, to be achieved by giving people more options and choice on their workplace.

This includes giving people the opportunity to work close to local beauty spots and heritage sites.

The proposed pod would provide an additional attraction at the park, which is visited by around 700,000 people per year.

“Investment for a co-working space will allow the Parc to promote the venue as a relaxing environment for people to engage with nature whilst achieving maximum productivity in a comfortable working environment,” a planning statement says.

The project has a budget of £100,000, according to planning documents.

Further plans for the park include installing six high quality glamping pods this year.

The proposals will be assessed by Blaenau Gwent council in the coming months.