PLANS to transform the Conwy Civic Hall into a hub for business and tourism have been slammed by a charity that campaigns for the preservation of architectural heritage.

The Twentieth Century Society (C20) said it “strongly objected” to the plans, which would see the partial demolition of a section of the derelict site.

Developers Nautical Point Ltd’s proposal would see the site turned into a food market hall and 15 aparthotel units.

The Grade II listed Conwy Civic Hall dates back to 1898, but large parts of the original building were destroyed in the fire of 1966, which lead to the construction of a ‘concrete box’ section in the late 1960s, which comprises most of the site.

Use of the Conwy Civic Hall has declined since the 1990s, and the building also houses an old theatre/auditorium, while the library closed in 2019 to move to the Conwy Culture Centre, after which the site has remained empty.

Despite interest from pub chain JD Wetherspoon in 2018, which would have seen £3million of investment, the site is untouched.

READ MORE: 

‘Detrimental’ sections of forgotten Conwy landmark could be removed

Hotel plans for former Conwy Police Station

C20 Scoiety said the building was “under threat”, adding that the applicant had “overlooked” the post—war work on the site and downplaying its significance.

The charity said: “C20 Society has strongly objected to an application for the partial demolition of the Grade II listed former library, theatre and Civic Hall.

“It is the Society’s view that the 1960s- additions to the site are of historic and architectural significance.

“It is of architectural value as an interesting and characteristically 1960s response to the site, of historic and evidential value as the latest part in the multi-phased evolution of this public building, and the involvement of Gwilym Parry-Davies furthers its interest.

“The applicant has overlooked the post-war work (providing little to no information on its design and construction and failing to name the architect responsible) and as a result has massively downplayed its significance.

“It is wrongly assessed as “detrimental” and its demolition claimed to provide a heritage benefit.

“It is our view that the loss of the post-war work would in fact cause serious harm to the significance of the listed town hall.

“There is greater appreciation for post-war architecture now than there was in the late 20th and early 20th century when the site’s listing potential was assessed and we requested to Cadw (the Welsh heritage body) that the listing boundary should be reviewed in light of this.”