PLANS to rebuild kiosks along Rhos-on-Sea promenade have been put on hold after concerns that the new structures will fail to withstand bad weather.
Conwy County Borough Council had applied to its own planning department seeking permission for the two identical kiosks on the West Promenade.
Council officers advised the department they are “minded to grant” conditional approval for the proposals, as part of the Colwyn Bay flood defence and public realm improvements.
But Welsh Water has indicated they need access to the sewers and have requested a detailed plan of the kiosks.
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New Rhos-on-Sea kiosks could be approved this week
The MS for Clwyd West, Darren Millar, has criticised Conwy County Borough Council for “failing to do its homework” on these plans to rebuild the kiosks.
When the original kiosks were demolished, Mr Millar backed a campaign calling for popular seaside kiosks along the promenade to be safeguarded.
He said: "The local authority ought to have done its homework over the past two years to ensure that these kiosks could be reinstated.
"The previous kiosks were in situ for decades and there are kiosks on coasts around the UK, so it is beyond belief that there are excuses about the ability of the new buildings to withstand storms.
"Conwy must get on and resolve these issues urgently so that the promise to reinstate the kiosks can be fulfilled."
Each kiosk is due to be situated at either end of the Rhos-on-Sea section of the promenade, opposite where either end of the grass embankment starts and finishes.
The new kiosks will have unisex disabled toilets, baby changing facilities, and a storeroom.
The development will create two full-time and four part-time jobs, with the plans also been shown the support of Colwyn Bay Town Council.
In response to Mr Millar’s comments, Conwy County Borough Council said that its planning committee deferred to give more time to consider the information.
Its reasons for deferral given as:
- Holding objection from Welsh Water due to the proximity of the sewer.
- Robustness of the kiosks to withstand storm damage.
- Representation relating to the delivery arrangements for the kiosks.
A council spokesperson said: “We’ve received an amended plan showing the location of the sewer. We’re in consultation with Welsh Water.
“We’ve had further details of the robustness of the kiosks to withstand storm damage, and that matter is receiving attention.
“(There is also) representation relating to the delivery arrangements for the kiosks, and we’re in discussion with the highway authority.”
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