Latest news with #CorbettArmsHotel
Wales Online
5 days ago
- General
- Wales Online
Inside famous Welsh hotel left to rot as nature takes over
Inside famous Welsh hotel left to rot as nature takes over The Corbett Arms Hotel was visited by music legend John Lennon and wife Yoko Ono but is now in a derelict state and an uncertain future The outside of the building in July 2024 (Image: Google maps ) The once-celebrated Corbett Arms Hotel, which has hosted stars like former Beatle John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono, is now in a state of severe dilapidation and at risk of collapse, according to the local council. Photographs from within the Grade II listed property in Tywyn reveal the extensive damage, as Cyngor Gwynedd / Gwynedd Council moves forward with plans for "partial deconstruction". A section of the hotel, including its ballroom, gave way earlier this year, prompting the installation of scaffolding along Maengwyn Street and parts of Corbett Square. The situation necessitated the temporary closure of Maengwyn Street, Corbett Square, and Red Lion Streets to ensure public and motorist safety. Cyngor Gwynedd is seeking listed building consent for the "phased partial deconstruction and demolition of the building, and required support works to stabilise the remaining structure". The council has committed to retaining as much of the building as possible during the phased deconstruction process. For more home and property content sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here READ MORE: Landmark former hotel 'most at risk' building in Wales YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Extreme renovation burnt out farmhouse with 22 acres of land going to auction with guide price of £200k Article continues below The front and side elevations of the building in August 2023 (Image: Google maps ) However, conservation organisation SAVE Britain's Heritage (SAVE) state that Gwynedd Council had been seeking to demolish the whole building under dangerous building powers due to concerns that two areas at the back of the 1833 building had collapsed after years of neglect, but that Welsh heritage chiefs intervened after SAVE raised the alarm over the historic former seaside hotel which was facing demolition. Internal view of the Corbett Arms shows the extent of its collapse (Image: Cyngor Gwynedd ) SAVE commissioned Jon Avent, a specialist conservation engineer, to review the condition and he concluded: 'There is simply no justification for demolition.' Now Cadw, the Welsh government's official heritage advisor, has taken action that lifts the threat of imminent demolition. It confirmed that a listed building consent (LBC) application will be submitted by the council prior to any work being undertaken. SAVE states that this means the risk of hasty demolition under dangerous building powers has been averted for now. A report by the council detailing the structural integrity and remaining stability of the hotel has disclosed further information about the building's dire state, accompanied by previously unseen internal photographs of the destruction. A derelict room inside the Corbett Arms (Image: Cyngor Gwynedd ) A recent report from John Evans Associates (JEA) Limited, Chartered Structural Engineers, has highlighted the precarious state of the building, citing a "high risk of catastrophic collapse" at the rear of the main structure. Moreover, a window up to the third floor has fallen in, and the roof has sustained damage. Daily drone deployments are conducted to monitor any movement in the roof and the collapse zone on the rear elevation. According to the report, "The building is not currently stable enough to enter to try and introduce temporary propping, given the presence of the cellar, the high risk of further collapse and the poor condition of the structure based on what can be established from limited vantage points." A glass roof at the Corbett Arms on the verge of collapse (Image: Cyngor Gwynedd ) In collaboration with Cyngor Gwynedd, Cadw, and engineer Tom Martin of Mann Williams, an initial phase of demolition of the most unstable zone is now being considered. Following this phase, the residual stability of the remaining parts of the building will be assessed, with the aim of retaining them, potentially with temporary shoring and propping as needed. The partial deconstruction and demolition application is currently under consideration by the Council, and the public is invited to submit comments during a consultation period running until June 20, 2025. Complete details of the application can be found here. The Council's Planning Committee is anticipated to make a decision on the application in due course. In the interim, surveillance work will persist on the building's condition to guarantee public safety. Article continues below For more home content, including products, join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here.
North Wales Live
14-05-2025
- North Wales Live
Road closure update in Gwynedd seaside village as summer gridlock fears
A seaside resort is facing months of road closures that risk causing summer gridlock. In April Cyngor Gwynedd announced action was being taken to curb the dangers posed by a collapsing hotel in Tywyn, Gwynedd. They said emergency action was needed at short notice to protect public safety due to the condition of the Corbett Arms Hotel. At the time the closure orders were put in place for 12 weeks. The council has today extended that to six months with the roads affected including the A493. This extends the closures over the peak summer holiday period. The council said: "Following a significant collapse at the rear of the building in January of this year, the Council took immediate action to protect the public, this included the partial closure of a road, the erection of security fences, and continuous monitoring of the building. A project group has been convened by the Council with a range of expertise to manage and implement the response to the issue and Cyngor Gwynedd continues to consult with Cadw. "Despite efforts to protect and ensure the long-term use of this Grade II listed building, its condition has continued to deteriorate with a further collapse on the roof of the ballroom at the end of February. As a result of concern of another collapse and the need be in a position to take immediate action to protect public health and safety, the Council commissioned a specialist company to erect the scaffolding along Maengwyn Street and part of Corbett Square and carry out pre-preparation work on site for specialist machinery. "This means that we will be able to react immediately if further emergency work is required due to another collapse or evidence arising from the ongoing monitoring work. Urgent action was required to temporarily close Maengwyn Street, Corbett Square and Red Lion Street to traffic from 17 April and to install purpose-built scaffolding to protect the safety of nearby residents and businesses and the general public. "The Council has now taken the difficult but necessary step of extending the closure of these roads to traffic for a period of six months. This is required to allow time for the determination of the application for Listed Building Consent which will be submitted shortly by the Council, to be determined by Welsh Government Ministers. "It will also allow for any consented works to make the structure safe, including or possible deconstruction of part of the building to be completed whilst ensuring the safety of nearby residents and the public in general. "As a result, the length of Maengwyn Street (A493), Tywyn will be closed to vehicles from its junction with Brook Street travelling westerly up to Corbett Square (A493) as well as Red Lion Street. Signs are in place to explain the alternative route. "The Council fully appreciates the impact on local residents and businesses and apologise for any inconvenience, but the temporary road closures are required to ensure public safety. If the required work on the Corbett Arms building is completed before mid-November 2025, the Council will re-open the effected roads as soon as possible." They added: "As part of the application for Listed Building Consent process, all interested parties will have the opportunity to make representations during the consultation period. These representations will be considered by Welsh Government Ministers prior to the determination of the application. "Unless there is another collapse or evidence that the condition of the building is deteriorating to such an extent that the Council must respond urgently, other than preparatory works, the Council will not carry out demolition work until listed building consent has been approved by Welsh Government Ministers. "The Council will continue to assess the remainder of the building, before considering any further action, taking into account the structural condition, public safety and the listed status of the building."
Wales Online
13-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Application to demolish famous 'apocalypse' hotel to be lodged 'within days'
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 An application for permission to demolish a Grade-II listed hotel is set to be submitted within days. Cyngor Gwynedd said it has "no choice" but to try and secure formal listed building consent amid serious concerns of the safety of the Corbett Arms Hotel in Tywyn. The hotel once welcomed guests including the former Beatle John Lennon, but the site is now in a state of disrepair. The council said the decision came after "careful consideration of detailed expert advice" over the structural condition of the building. It comes despite a late campaign aimed at halting the demolition of the hotel. You can read more about that here. The council said that unless there is another collapse or evidence that the condition of the building is deteriorating to a greater extent, they would not carry out demolition work until listed building consent has been approved by Welsh Government ministers. They added that as part of the application, interested parties would be able to have their say on the plans. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday In a statement issued on Monday, May 12, the council said: 'The condition of the Corbett Arms Hotel in Tywyn has been a cause for concern for Cyngor Gwynedd and the local community for years, and we have taken action to protect the public and safeguard this listed building. "Indeed, Cyngor Gwynedd has issued several notices under Section 78 (dangerous buildings) of the Building Act 1984 and Section 79 (ruinous and dilapidated buildings) of the Building Act 1984 relating to the Corbett Arms Hotel building. 'Despite efforts to protect and ensure the long-term use of this Grade II listed building, its condition has continued to deteriorate with a significant collapse at the rear of the building at the end of January, along with a further collapse on the roof of the ballroom at the end of February. "Since the initial collapse, Cyngor Gwynedd has convened a project group with a range of expertise to manage and implement its response to the issue and we have consulted with Cadw from the outset and have notified the Royal Commission. 'Following the initial collapse in January, the Council had to take immediate action to protect the public, this included the partial closure of a road, the erection of security fences, and continuous monitoring of the building. "As a result of the ongoing monitoring, urgent action was taken to temporarily close Maengwyn Street, Corbett Square and Red Lion Street to traffic from April 17, and to install purpose built scaffolding to protect the safety of nearby residents and businesses and the general public. 'Unfortunately, the condition of the building has deteriorated to the point where there is a risk of another collapse and the Council need be in a position to take immediate action to protect public health and safety. "This is why we have commissioned a specialist company to erect the scaffolding along Maengwyn Street and part of Corbett Square and carry out pre-preparation work on site for specialist machinery. "This means that we will be in a position to react immediately if further emergency work is required due to another collapse or evidence arising from the ongoing monitoring work. "After careful consideration of the detailed expert advice about the structural condition of the building, taking into account public safety as well as the fact that the building is listed, the Council has no choice but to submit an application for listed building consent, to include demolition, under Section 90 of the Historic Environment Act (Wales) 2023. "This process is being conducted transparently, with due regard to historic environment policy for Wales and the guidance of Cadw. Arrangements for submitting this application are progressing and it is expected that the application will be submitted in the coming days. 'As part of the listed building consent process, all interested parties will have the opportunity to make representations during the consultation period. These representations will be considered by Welsh Government Ministers prior to the determination of the application. 'Unless there is another collapse or evidence that the condition of the building is deteriorating to such an extent that the Council must respond urgently, other than preparatory works, the Council will not carry out demolition work until listed building consent has been approved by Welsh Government Ministers. 'The Council will continue to assess the remainder of the building before considering any further action, taking into account the structural condition, public safety and the listed status of the building.' Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now
North Wales Live
13-05-2025
- North Wales Live
Application to demolish famous 'apocalypse' hotel to be lodged 'within days'
An application for permission to demolish a Grade-II listed hotel is set to be submitted within days. Cyngor Gwynedd said it has "no choice" but to try and secure formal listed building consent amid serious concerns of the safety of the Corbett Arms Hotel in Tywyn. The hotel once welcomed guests including the former Beatle John Lennon, but the site is now in a state of disrepair. The council said the decision came after "careful consideration of detailed expert advice" over the structural condition of the building. It comes despite a late campaign aimed at halting the demolition of the hotel. You can read more about that here. The council said that unless there is another collapse or evidence that the condition of the building is deteriorating to a greater extent, they would not carry out demolition work until listed building consent has been approved by Welsh Government ministers. They added that as part of the application, interested parties would be able to have their say on the plans. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday In a statement issued on Monday, May 12, the council said: 'The condition of the Corbett Arms Hotel in Tywyn has been a cause for concern for Cyngor Gwynedd and the local community for years, and we have taken action to protect the public and safeguard this listed building. "Indeed, Cyngor Gwynedd has issued several notices under Section 78 (dangerous buildings) of the Building Act 1984 and Section 79 (ruinous and dilapidated buildings) of the Building Act 1984 relating to the Corbett Arms Hotel building. 'Despite efforts to protect and ensure the long-term use of this Grade II listed building, its condition has continued to deteriorate with a significant collapse at the rear of the building at the end of January, along with a further collapse on the roof of the ballroom at the end of February. "Since the initial collapse, Cyngor Gwynedd has convened a project group with a range of expertise to manage and implement its response to the issue and we have consulted with Cadw from the outset and have notified the Royal Commission. 'Following the initial collapse in January, the Council had to take immediate action to protect the public, this included the partial closure of a road, the erection of security fences, and continuous monitoring of the building. "As a result of the ongoing monitoring, urgent action was taken to temporarily close Maengwyn Street, Corbett Square and Red Lion Street to traffic from April 17, and to install purpose built scaffolding to protect the safety of nearby residents and businesses and the general public. 'Unfortunately, the condition of the building has deteriorated to the point where there is a risk of another collapse and the Council need be in a position to take immediate action to protect public health and safety. "This is why we have commissioned a specialist company to erect the scaffolding along Maengwyn Street and part of Corbett Square and carry out pre-preparation work on site for specialist machinery. "This means that we will be in a position to react immediately if further emergency work is required due to another collapse or evidence arising from the ongoing monitoring work. "After careful consideration of the detailed expert advice about the structural condition of the building, taking into account public safety as well as the fact that the building is listed, the Council has no choice but to submit an application for listed building consent, to include demolition, under Section 90 of the Historic Environment Act (Wales) 2023. "This process is being conducted transparently, with due regard to historic environment policy for Wales and the guidance of Cadw. Arrangements for submitting this application are progressing and it is expected that the application will be submitted in the coming days. 'As part of the listed building consent process, all interested parties will have the opportunity to make representations during the consultation period. These representations will be considered by Welsh Government Ministers prior to the determination of the application. 'Unless there is another collapse or evidence that the condition of the building is deteriorating to such an extent that the Council must respond urgently, other than preparatory works, the Council will not carry out demolition work until listed building consent has been approved by Welsh Government Ministers. 'The Council will continue to assess the remainder of the building before considering any further action, taking into account the structural condition, public safety and the listed status of the building.'
