Conwy’s old police station will be partly demolished and transformed into an aparthotel with cafe space.

Conwy Council’s planning committee approved plans to convert the building on Lancaster Square.

During a meeting at Bodlondeb, applicant Alun Jones was granted permission to convert the Grade-II listed building into a 19 room aparthotel with a retail/cafe space.

The plans include the partial demolition of the rear of the existing police station as well as the construction of extensions within the walled town, a World Heritage Site.

Cllr Alan Hunter proposed that councillors went with the officers’ recommendation to approve the development.

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He also requested that builders didn’t clog the adjacent Lancaster Square, a popular tourist and visitor spot, with building equipment.

“I’d like to see no work being carried out at weekends because it is a heritage site,” he said.

“It is very, very busy during the week. It has got to be done some time, but I’d like to see some sort of control.

“My proposal would be to restrict (work) to the weekends.”

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Planning officer Paula Jones said: “I would just say generally, with the conditions we impose on construction in terms of weekend working, we normally allow up to 1pm on a Saturday, and then we don’t allow working on a Sunday or bank holidays.

“I’m not sure if that’s something you would consider.”

Cllr Hunter responded: “I’m happy to go with that.”

This proposal was then seconded by Cllr Kay Redhead.

Cllr Jo Nuttall then questioned where the construction company might leave equipment and building materials other than Lancaster Square.

She said: “Where else can they put it? I don’t want to stifle them completely, since it is not a big site, is it?”

Ms Jones said that was a matter that would have to be looked at closely in the management plan

She said the square was owned either by Conwy or the town council, so they would need permission from the landowner.

She added: “I think, as part of the construction management plan, we will be asking for details of where they will keep equipment or store everything.

“We will have to look at that further.”

Cllr Alan Hunter then suggested two car parking spaces adjacent to the police station could be used for storage.

The station has been closed since May 2022, with police operations gradually scaled back over the years.

The main building was constructed in 1859 to the designs of prominent local architect John Lloyd, who also designed the police station in Caernarfon.

But extensions were built onto the structure in the 19th century with further alterations added to the building around 1940.

Conwy Town Council objected to the plans, complaining of over-development, loss of the historic past of the building and too many similar businesses in a small area.

Councillors voted in favour of approving the plans in line with officers’ recommendations, and the vote was unanimous.