Plans for retirement housing complex at Llandudno car park

McCarthy & Stone Retirement Lifestyle Ltd has applied to Conwy Council’s planning department seeking permission to build a four-storey, 57-apartment complex.

The development would be complete with communal facilities (including green spaces), landscaping and car parking, as well as a residents’ lounge and lower ground floor.

It would be built on the site of Maelgwyn Road Car Park.

Artist's visualisation of the complex. (Image: Cadnant Planning) However, the plans have been heavily criticised by Llandudno Town Council, which “strongly opposes” the proposal following a consultation.

The council said: “Loss of parking spaces would add to the already existing parking shortage in Llandudno to the detriment of the town's prosperity as a tourist destination.

“The development could set a precedent leading to the development of York Road car park."

It also gave the following reasons for its objection to the plans:

• Concerns about the affordability of the proposed apartments
• Increased pressure on already overstretched health care and social care services as a result of the development
• Public require parking close to where they are staying. The car park is close to guest houses/hotels and the Holiday
• Accommodation Zone and its loss will impact heavily on visitors
• The car park is one of the few areas where camper vans park
• Data provided by Conwy CBC on car park usage clearly shows that site is very well used and much needed as a car park
• The proposed development is overbearing and would have a detrimental impact on the adjacent Conservation Area
• Insufficient parking provided on site, which will cause residents/visitors to park on nearby roads increasing parking problems in the area

A heritage impact statement in support of the application, by Cadnant Planning, said the car park is “considered to detract from the setting of the conservation area”.

The statement said: "The proposed development involves the reuse of an existing car park which does not contribute to the setting of the Conservation Area, and will create a continuation of the built environment along Gloddaeth Street / Avenue.

Proposed front (top) and rear (bottom) elevations. (Image: Cadnant Planning) “Whilst there would be an impact on the setting of the Conservation Area, there would not be an unacceptable adverse impact on the setting of the Conservation Area resulting from the proposed development.

"Indeed, the proposal would result in an improvement to the streetscene in this location.

“It is not considered that the proposed development would result in an unacceptable harm to the setting of any of the identified historic assets considered above.

READ MORE:

Aparthotel plans for Llandudno guesthouse labelled ‘disingenuous’

Plans for extension at Llandudno special school

“Moreover, the proposed development will enhance the setting of the Conservation Area as the site currently detracts from this.

“As outlined above, the site itself has low value and significance from an historic environment perspective, and any potential impact would be on the setting of the identified historic assets rather than any historic fabric.

“The proposed new development would be on an existing car park that does not contribute positively to the setting of the Conservation Area at present.

“In addition to this, there would be an improvement in the landscaping and planting along Gloddaeth Avenue which is seen as a positive outcome.

“There will be an improvement as the application site currently detracts from this.”