Latest news with #ConwyCouncil
Wales Online
10 hours ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Controversial apartments development gets go-ahead despite 'unaffordable' fear
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A controversial multi-million pound apartment development in Deganwy has been approved by Conwy Council's planning committee - despite objections from residents and concerns raised by several councillors. Planning officers had recommended approval for the plans, which will see a new 19-flat apartment building constructed on the corner of Station Road, York Road, and Back York Road. The application, submitted by Simon Garantini, involves demolishing the existing buildings at 1–3 Station Road to make way for the new development. The proposed building will measure 15.80 metres in height, 38.81 metres in width, and 27.08 metres in depth. The site is currently occupied by Robertson Geologging Ltd and is located opposite the Grade-II listed former Deganwy Castle Hotel in a predominantly residential area with some nearby commercial properties. Conwy 's planning department received 15 objections from members of the public, with concerns raised over the height of the proposed building, its impact on the character of the area, and a perceived lack of parking. Sign up for the North Wales Live newslettersent twice daily to your inbox. Conwy's planning committee met this week at the council's Coed Pella HQ to debate the application. Several councillors objected to the development, arguing the applicant needed to provide affordable housing or make a financial contribution to the community. Cllr David Carr suggested the flats would be unaffordable to most locals, would not help the council's housing problem, and would likely end up as holiday homes. But planning officers advised the committee affordable housing was "unviable" at the site due to market value and explained that consequently a 106 agreement in the form of community contributions was not viable either in an area that was repeatedly described at the meeting as 'affluent'. Cllr Anthony Bertola spoke in favour of the application. "I'm looking at the positive side of this, because Deganwy is an affluent area,' he said. 'There are lots of businesses there that could do with the footfall. It'll be good for tourism. It'll be good for homes. I know we are looking at the Welsh language and affordable housing - I get that - but I think there is an opportunity here, because it is a bit of an eyesore, the area as it is, anyway, so anything that is going to be upgraded, I'm all for it, and I know Deganwy is a nice area anyway.' He added: 'I'm looking at the positive side of it, but I understand people's feelings about contributions and the Welsh language, but I can't really see how that's going to affect the fact we're getting something that is quite attractively designed architecturally and is in keeping with the area.' Cllr Bertola proposed councillors voted in favour of the proposal, and this was seconded by Cllr Kay Redhead. Nine councillors voted in favour of the planning application with two against and two abstentions. Public notices in your area
North Wales Live
10 hours ago
- Business
- North Wales Live
Controversial apartments development gets go-ahead despite 'unaffordable' fear
A controversial multi-million pound apartment development in Deganwy has been approved by Conwy Council's planning committee - despite objections from residents and concerns raised by several councillors. Planning officers had recommended approval for the plans, which will see a new 19-flat apartment building constructed on the corner of Station Road, York Road, and Back York Road. The application, submitted by Simon Garantini, involves demolishing the existing buildings at 1–3 Station Road to make way for the new development. The proposed building will measure 15.80 metres in height, 38.81 metres in width, and 27.08 metres in depth. The site is currently occupied by Robertson Geologging Ltd and is located opposite the Grade-II listed former Deganwy Castle Hotel in a predominantly residential area with some nearby commercial properties. Conwy 's planning department received 15 objections from members of the public, with concerns raised over the height of the proposed building, its impact on the character of the area, and a perceived lack of parking. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox. Conwy's planning committee met this week at the council's Coed Pella HQ to debate the application. Several councillors objected to the development, arguing the applicant needed to provide affordable housing or make a financial contribution to the community. Cllr David Carr suggested the flats would be unaffordable to most locals, would not help the council's housing problem, and would likely end up as holiday homes. But planning officers advised the committee affordable housing was "unviable" at the site due to market value and explained that consequently a 106 agreement in the form of community contributions was not viable either in an area that was repeatedly described at the meeting as 'affluent'. Cllr Anthony Bertola spoke in favour of the application. "I'm looking at the positive side of this, because Deganwy is an affluent area,' he said. 'There are lots of businesses there that could do with the footfall. It'll be good for tourism. It'll be good for homes. I know we are looking at the Welsh language and affordable housing - I get that - but I think there is an opportunity here, because it is a bit of an eyesore, the area as it is, anyway, so anything that is going to be upgraded, I'm all for it, and I know Deganwy is a nice area anyway.' He added: 'I'm looking at the positive side of it, but I understand people's feelings about contributions and the Welsh language, but I can't really see how that's going to affect the fact we're getting something that is quite attractively designed architecturally and is in keeping with the area.' Cllr Bertola proposed councillors voted in favour of the proposal, and this was seconded by Cllr Kay Redhead. Nine councillors voted in favour of the planning application with two against and two abstentions.
Business News Wales
a day ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
North Wales Growers Offered Chance to Contribute to School Meals
Food producers and independent businesses could benefit from a partnership with Conwy schools. Conwy council's Catering department has piloted a Welsh Government Foundational Economy and Business Wales initiative encouraging more local authorities to use Welsh suppliers when designing primary school menus. Following a pilot study which focused on green vegetables including broccoli, the organisations are calling for growers in the region to meet the demand and explore pathways to supplying fresh produce for schools. Consultant Dafydd Aled Williams, former Health and Wellbeing Manager for Conwy, says partnerships have been formed in light of Welsh Government's Universal Primary Free School Meals (UPFSM) initiative, with local authorities focused on health, sustainability and supporting families facing cost-of-living challenges. 'There has been a lot of research and work behind the scenes over the last year to introduce more Welsh produce onto schools' menus,' said Dafydd. 'Taking broccoli as an example, there was a test period where pupils were given fresh broccoli for a period of three weeks and much preferred it to frozen. 'The task then is to see how financially viable it would be to introduce fresh locally grown broccoli, which on evaluation would be on a long-term basis, but at present there is nobody in the region producing the quantities needed to supply schools. 'We can see the project unfolding over the next three years initially, identifying potential local commercial vegetable growers to work with the current fruit and veg wholesaler to explore budgets and costs. 'This demonstrates that there are commercial opportunities in growing other foodstuffs including leeks, onions and also salad vegetables such as cucumber, tomatoes and lettuce, which would have a positive knock-on effect for the local economy, for the environment and ultimately the healthy eating habits of future generations of children.' He added: 'Conwy Council has worked incredibly hard to use independent businesses and local produce where possible and other local authorities have done the same, so hopefully if everyone keeps moving in that direction it will be of long-term benefit to businesses and schools in North Wales and beyond.' Earlier this year, Business Wales held virtual events on Social Value in the Public Sector and Welsh public sector supply chains, in addition to procurement, frameworks and tendering processes. Menter Môn's Food Project Manager David Wylie says there is an exciting journey ahead and 'opportunities' for growers in North Wales. 'We have interested parties and are working hard to encourage more independent producers and businesses to capitalise on what will be huge demand,' he added. 'We want them to play a major role in public sector supply chains and appear on the menus of schools in Conwy and other local authorities keen to use more local food and drink. 'This in turn will boost the economy, employment, and give these small businesses a new revenue stream.' Examples of recent projects include the Larder Cymru Welsh Food for Schools scheme, backed by the Welsh Government Foundational Economy Team, which promotes Welsh produce and producers from across Wales and highlights how, by buying from them, schools will shorten their supply chains, encouraging sustainability, lowering carbon emissions. For more information, email david@ or visit Homepage | Business Wales.
North Wales Live
a day ago
- Business
- North Wales Live
Domino's given permission for new North Wales store despite 'obesity' fears
Plans for a new Domino's Pizza in Llandudno Junction have been approved by Conwy Council's planning committee - despite concerns from residents, the local town council, and the health board. The committee met this week at Conwy's Coed Pella HQ and granted planning permission for Domino's Pizza to convert the former Credit Union at 144 Conway Road into a hot food takeaway. The application had attracted objections from residents, with concerns raised about noise, traffic, and what some described as a saturation of takeaway outlets in the area. A petition signed by 42 people opposed the development, citing issues including late-night disturbance and increased parking pressures. Conwy Town Council objected on highway safety grounds, while Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board raised concerns about obesity, saying the addition of another outlet predominantly serving 'unhealthy' food could worsen existing public health challenges in the area. But planning officers had recommended the application be approved, noting that the proposal would bring a vacant building back into use. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox. Councillors voted in favour of granting the plans, subject to conditions, but only after local councillor Dave Jones' proposal to reject the plans was thrown out. Speaking against the application, Cllr Jones said: "I would say that this would affect the vitality of the area negatively - that's my opinion. "Also, the fact it used to be a bank over the last few years, it was very small scale, and most of the people who used it were local, and they walked to it, which again has been a pain in the neck because it's closed, so people have lost their banking. "I think we should reject the officers' recommendation here. It is just not going to do Llandudno Junction any good at all. Residents are only going to be more up in arms. "As for the parking at the back, the two spaces, have you seen that street that goes down the side of the chippy and the proposed outlet? That is going to cause danger as well. The streets close to Enoch's (chip shop) and this proposal are already very dangerous.' He added: 'People park right on double yellow lines, right up to Conway Road, and I'm amazed there hasn't been a major accident in Llandudno Junction hill already, but there is an accident waiting to happen if this proposal goes ahead." Two other councillors backed Cllr Jones, but his proposal was lost on a vote, with nine councillors voting against refusing the application. There was just one abstention. Cllr David Carr supported the development. "All the times I have visited there, it has seemed quite vibrant,' he said. 'It's all about choice, as we've said. There is quite a lot of takeaways, a few Chineses, there's already a pizza place, and they actually deliver as well.' He added: "I don't think it is going to make that much of an impact, really, having one extra one. And as I said, they (the takeaways) all seem to be doing very well. I think it is local people that are using these, and we've got to give choice to people, haven't we?" Cllr Trystan Lewis proposed the committee backed planning officers' recommendation, which was seconded by Cllr Andrew Wood. He said: "I sympathize with the points councillors have made, but I can't see what there is to object to on policy grounds. And if Cllr Dave Jones's proposal had carried, I think we'd be on very shaky ground in an appeal on the grounds that he made." The planning committee voted in favour of granting permission, with 10 votes in favour and three against. The takeaway will operate from 11am to 11pm daily and is expected to create around 25 jobs. External changes include new front windows and doors, along with extraction and ventilation equipment installed at the rear, such as grilles, an air conditioning unit, and a cold room compressor. Two existing parking spaces behind the building will be used by Domino's delivery drivers.
Wales Online
a day ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Domino's given permission for new North Wales store despite 'obesity' fears
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Plans for a new Domino's Pizza in Llandudno Junction have been approved by Conwy Council's planning committee - despite concerns from residents, the local town council, and the health board. The committee met this week at Conwy's Coed Pella HQ and granted planning permission for Domino's Pizza to convert the former Credit Union at 144 Conway Road into a hot food takeaway. The application had attracted objections from residents, with concerns raised about noise, traffic, and what some described as a saturation of takeaway outlets in the area. A petition signed by 42 people opposed the development, citing issues including late-night disturbance and increased parking pressures. Conwy Town Council objected on highway safety grounds, while Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board raised concerns about obesity, saying the addition of another outlet predominantly serving 'unhealthy' food could worsen existing public health challenges in the area. But planning officers had recommended the application be approved, noting that the proposal would bring a vacant building back into use. Sign up for the North Wales Live newslettersent twice daily to your inbox. Councillors voted in favour of granting the plans, subject to conditions, but only after local councillor Dave Jones' proposal to reject the plans was thrown out. Speaking against the application, Cllr Jones said: "I would say that this would affect the vitality of the area negatively - that's my opinion. "Also, the fact it used to be a bank over the last few years, it was very small scale, and most of the people who used it were local, and they walked to it, which again has been a pain in the neck because it's closed, so people have lost their banking. "I think we should reject the officers' recommendation here. It is just not going to do Llandudno Junction any good at all. Residents are only going to be more up in arms. "As for the parking at the back, the two spaces, have you seen that street that goes down the side of the chippy and the proposed outlet? That is going to cause danger as well. The streets close to Enoch's (chip shop) and this proposal are already very dangerous.' He added: 'People park right on double yellow lines, right up to Conway Road, and I'm amazed there hasn't been a major accident in Llandudno Junction hill already, but there is an accident waiting to happen if this proposal goes ahead." Two other councillors backed Cllr Jones, but his proposal was lost on a vote, with nine councillors voting against refusing the application. There was just one abstention. Cllr David Carr supported the development. "All the times I have visited there, it has seemed quite vibrant,' he said. 'It's all about choice, as we've said. There is quite a lot of takeaways, a few Chineses, there's already a pizza place, and they actually deliver as well.' He added: "I don't think it is going to make that much of an impact, really, having one extra one. And as I said, they (the takeaways) all seem to be doing very well. I think it is local people that are using these, and we've got to give choice to people, haven't we?" Cllr Trystan Lewis proposed the committee backed planning officers' recommendation, which was seconded by Cllr Andrew Wood. He said: "I sympathize with the points councillors have made, but I can't see what there is to object to on policy grounds. And if Cllr Dave Jones's proposal had carried, I think we'd be on very shaky ground in an appeal on the grounds that he made." The planning committee voted in favour of granting permission, with 10 votes in favour and three against. The takeaway will operate from 11am to 11pm daily and is expected to create around 25 jobs. External changes include new front windows and doors, along with extraction and ventilation equipment installed at the rear, such as grilles, an air conditioning unit, and a cold room compressor. Two existing parking spaces behind the building will be used by Domino's delivery drivers. Public notices in your area
