Church building can be converted into 10-bed holiday let despite noise fears
Plans to convert a Grade-II listed former Roman Catholic church into a ten-bedroom holiday let were approved by Conwy Council's planning committee – despite fears of outside drinking and noise. The application, submitted by Simon and David Salzman, sought permission for the change of use of the former Our Lady of the Rosary Church on Conwy Old Road, Penmaenmawr, into short-term holiday accommodation.
The application was originally deferred in the spring after Conwy's highways department asked for more time to consider parking provision, but they raised no concerns. Councillors and residents feared an increase in traffic, especially as the former church was near a school.
Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Anne McCaffrey opposed the application. 'Most residents locally don't favour this usage, nor does Penmaenmawr Town Council,' she said. Cllr McCaffrey questioned whether the holiday let would function more like a hostel or a large house of multiple occupation, raising concerns about the development's features. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
'The features – communal kitchens, gyms, games room, a bar, a cinema – are more typical of a large hostel or shared accommodation for groups rather than traditional family holiday lets.' She also warned that nearby Pen y Cae woods could be used for 'barbecues and outside drinking' if the scheme went ahead, creating risks of noise and fire.
Speaking in favour of the application, agent Sean Roberts tried to ease concerns. 'It is noted that there have been concerns locally relating to the proposed use of the site. In this case the main concerns relate to residential noise issues and highways impact,' he said. 'The application has been supported by a noise management scheme, which explains how the property will be managed and how noise impacts would be mitigated.
'The property is to be marketed and geared towards multi-generational family trips, retreats, hiking groups, walking groups, and family birthdays.' He added: 'The property will not be made available for instant booking on any platform. Like other properties the applicant manages, bookings would have to be requested, and the applicant would be able to adequately vet all bookings. Guests would be required to confirm and agree to house rules as well as pay a damage security deposit in advance of this day.
'Furthermore, the property will have a local housekeeper/manager who will attend to the property quickly should any situation arise.' The development will include internal reconfiguration to create new living space, insulation, the replacement of the existing lean-to extension, and repairs to windows and doors.
Cllr Alan Hunter pointed out that any development or renovation work would result in an increase in traffic and proposed the committee approve the application with the condition of a construction management plan. Other councillors said apartments would result in even more traffic, adding the building badly needed renovation before the condition worsened.
The committee voted in favour of backing officers' recommendations to approve the application by ten votes to one, with two abstentions.
Public notices in your area
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Live
9 hours ago
- North Wales Live
Church building can be converted into 10-bed holiday let despite noise fears
Plans to convert a Grade-II listed former Roman Catholic church into a ten-bedroom holiday let were approved by Conwy Council's planning committee – despite fears of outside drinking and noise. The application, submitted by Simon and David Salzman, sought permission for the change of use of the former Our Lady of the Rosary Church on Conwy Old Road, Penmaenmawr, into short-term holiday accommodation. The application was originally deferred in the spring after Conwy's highways department asked for more time to consider parking provision, but they raised no concerns. Councillors and residents feared an increase in traffic, especially as the former church was near a school. Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Anne McCaffrey opposed the application. 'Most residents locally don't favour this usage, nor does Penmaenmawr Town Council,' she said. Cllr McCaffrey questioned whether the holiday let would function more like a hostel or a large house of multiple occupation, raising concerns about the development's features. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox 'The features – communal kitchens, gyms, games room, a bar, a cinema – are more typical of a large hostel or shared accommodation for groups rather than traditional family holiday lets.' She also warned that nearby Pen y Cae woods could be used for 'barbecues and outside drinking' if the scheme went ahead, creating risks of noise and fire. Speaking in favour of the application, agent Sean Roberts tried to ease concerns. 'It is noted that there have been concerns locally relating to the proposed use of the site. In this case the main concerns relate to residential noise issues and highways impact,' he said. 'The application has been supported by a noise management scheme, which explains how the property will be managed and how noise impacts would be mitigated. 'The property is to be marketed and geared towards multi-generational family trips, retreats, hiking groups, walking groups, and family birthdays.' He added: 'The property will not be made available for instant booking on any platform. Like other properties the applicant manages, bookings would have to be requested, and the applicant would be able to adequately vet all bookings. Guests would be required to confirm and agree to house rules as well as pay a damage security deposit in advance of this day. 'Furthermore, the property will have a local housekeeper/manager who will attend to the property quickly should any situation arise.' The development will include internal reconfiguration to create new living space, insulation, the replacement of the existing lean-to extension, and repairs to windows and doors. Cllr Alan Hunter pointed out that any development or renovation work would result in an increase in traffic and proposed the committee approve the application with the condition of a construction management plan. Other councillors said apartments would result in even more traffic, adding the building badly needed renovation before the condition worsened. The committee voted in favour of backing officers' recommendations to approve the application by ten votes to one, with two abstentions. Public notices in your area
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Wales Online
Controversial apartments development gets go-ahead despite 'unaffordable' fear
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A controversial multi-million pound apartment development in Deganwy has been approved by Conwy Council's planning committee - despite objections from residents and concerns raised by several councillors. Planning officers had recommended approval for the plans, which will see a new 19-flat apartment building constructed on the corner of Station Road, York Road, and Back York Road. The application, submitted by Simon Garantini, involves demolishing the existing buildings at 1–3 Station Road to make way for the new development. The proposed building will measure 15.80 metres in height, 38.81 metres in width, and 27.08 metres in depth. The site is currently occupied by Robertson Geologging Ltd and is located opposite the Grade-II listed former Deganwy Castle Hotel in a predominantly residential area with some nearby commercial properties. Conwy 's planning department received 15 objections from members of the public, with concerns raised over the height of the proposed building, its impact on the character of the area, and a perceived lack of parking. Sign up for the North Wales Live newslettersent twice daily to your inbox. Conwy's planning committee met this week at the council's Coed Pella HQ to debate the application. Several councillors objected to the development, arguing the applicant needed to provide affordable housing or make a financial contribution to the community. Cllr David Carr suggested the flats would be unaffordable to most locals, would not help the council's housing problem, and would likely end up as holiday homes. But planning officers advised the committee affordable housing was "unviable" at the site due to market value and explained that consequently a 106 agreement in the form of community contributions was not viable either in an area that was repeatedly described at the meeting as 'affluent'. Cllr Anthony Bertola spoke in favour of the application. "I'm looking at the positive side of this, because Deganwy is an affluent area,' he said. 'There are lots of businesses there that could do with the footfall. It'll be good for tourism. It'll be good for homes. I know we are looking at the Welsh language and affordable housing - I get that - but I think there is an opportunity here, because it is a bit of an eyesore, the area as it is, anyway, so anything that is going to be upgraded, I'm all for it, and I know Deganwy is a nice area anyway.' He added: 'I'm looking at the positive side of it, but I understand people's feelings about contributions and the Welsh language, but I can't really see how that's going to affect the fact we're getting something that is quite attractively designed architecturally and is in keeping with the area.' Cllr Bertola proposed councillors voted in favour of the proposal, and this was seconded by Cllr Kay Redhead. Nine councillors voted in favour of the planning application with two against and two abstentions. Public notices in your area
North Wales Live
3 days ago
- North Wales Live
Controversial apartments development gets go-ahead despite 'unaffordable' fear
A controversial multi-million pound apartment development in Deganwy has been approved by Conwy Council's planning committee - despite objections from residents and concerns raised by several councillors. Planning officers had recommended approval for the plans, which will see a new 19-flat apartment building constructed on the corner of Station Road, York Road, and Back York Road. The application, submitted by Simon Garantini, involves demolishing the existing buildings at 1–3 Station Road to make way for the new development. The proposed building will measure 15.80 metres in height, 38.81 metres in width, and 27.08 metres in depth. The site is currently occupied by Robertson Geologging Ltd and is located opposite the Grade-II listed former Deganwy Castle Hotel in a predominantly residential area with some nearby commercial properties. Conwy 's planning department received 15 objections from members of the public, with concerns raised over the height of the proposed building, its impact on the character of the area, and a perceived lack of parking. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox. Conwy's planning committee met this week at the council's Coed Pella HQ to debate the application. Several councillors objected to the development, arguing the applicant needed to provide affordable housing or make a financial contribution to the community. Cllr David Carr suggested the flats would be unaffordable to most locals, would not help the council's housing problem, and would likely end up as holiday homes. But planning officers advised the committee affordable housing was "unviable" at the site due to market value and explained that consequently a 106 agreement in the form of community contributions was not viable either in an area that was repeatedly described at the meeting as 'affluent'. Cllr Anthony Bertola spoke in favour of the application. "I'm looking at the positive side of this, because Deganwy is an affluent area,' he said. 'There are lots of businesses there that could do with the footfall. It'll be good for tourism. It'll be good for homes. I know we are looking at the Welsh language and affordable housing - I get that - but I think there is an opportunity here, because it is a bit of an eyesore, the area as it is, anyway, so anything that is going to be upgraded, I'm all for it, and I know Deganwy is a nice area anyway.' He added: 'I'm looking at the positive side of it, but I understand people's feelings about contributions and the Welsh language, but I can't really see how that's going to affect the fact we're getting something that is quite attractively designed architecturally and is in keeping with the area.' Cllr Bertola proposed councillors voted in favour of the proposal, and this was seconded by Cllr Kay Redhead. Nine councillors voted in favour of the planning application with two against and two abstentions.
