Refusal of Ffestiniog pub’s flats conversion

COUNCIL planning chiefs have turned down proposals to transform a Blaenau Ffestiniog pub into flats.
Gwynedd Council had received the formal bid to transform The Commercial, also known as Y Cwm, into flats covering three storeys.

The former pub, which stands on Commercial Square on the outskirts of the town centre, has been shut for several years.
Plans had been submitted to convert it into one four bedroom and two two bedroom flats.

But having been assured by the applicant Aspire Homes (UK) Ltd that more details would be forthcoming in November 2020, officers have now decided they can wait no longer and could not approve on the information that had been supplied.
“The lack of information on issues such as parking and rubbish / recycling areas, gives cause for concern that there may be adverse amenity effects on neighbours arising from the development,” notes the planning officers’ report.
“There is also concern about the suitability of Unit 1 of the development for residential use. Notwithstanding the plans, there are no prominent windows to this level which are largely at underground level and it is likely that the living conditions in this flat would be unacceptable in terms of contemporary living requirements.”
The report added: “Having considered all relevant issues, including local and national policies and guidance as well as local objections, it is not considered that sufficient information has been submitted with the application to justify approving the development.
“There is therefore no option for the Local Planning Authority to refuse the application on the basis of a lack of information regarding the issues highlighted in the assessment.”