Plans to demolish a historic building in Bangor to make way for a 4-storey, 36 flat development, has been refused by councillors.

 

The application for Blenheim House, which is located next to the railway station on Holyhead Road, would have provided 36 residential units that comprise 30 two-bedroom units and 6 one-bedroom units.

Most recently housing Period Interiors, the site now consists of redundant buildings that extend to the rear of the site and also includes a self-contained flat on the first floor.

 

Planning History

Demolition of existing building and construction of a five-storey building incorporating 81 flats, including the widening of Convent Lane was refused in April, 2008, on the grounds of over-development, lack of parking spaces and that size, scale and design was out of character with the streetscape.

Public Consultation

Following a public consultation on the proposal correspondence was received objecting on the following grounds:

  • Proposed building out of character not only within the local streetscape but also within the whole city and it would dominate the townscape.
  • Over-development of the site in a quiet residential area.
  • No need for more flats/housing in Bangor.
  • The proposal would increase traffic along a single road at the expense of pedestrian safety, including school children and college students. The road is also a cycle path within the city.
  • Creating the second access at the rear of the site would mean losing a pavement on this part of the unclassified road.
  • Lack of parking provision for the proposed units, which will lead to parking along Convent Lane.
  • More flats would mean more litter, pollution and noise disturbance. Noise disturbance is already a problem following a similar development nearby and approving this application would exacerbate the situation.
  • If the proposal would be approved, it would involve increasing pressures on local services such as surgeries.
  • Potential impact of the proposal on the Welsh language.

Senior Planning Managers recommended to refuse the application based on the following reasons:

The proposal is contrary to the requirements of Policies of the Anglesey and Gwynedd Joint Local Development Plan, as the applicant has not submitted sufficient evidence with the application to convince the Local Planning Authority that there is a need for additional one and two-bedroom flats in Bangor. It is believed that it would create an imbalance in the type and mix of small units within the city, and no evidence has been received that the proposal responds positively to the needs of the local community.

Local ward councillors urged members to follow the advice of officers, with Cllr Mair Rowlands describing the plans as “out of character” and “unsympathetic,” while also raising traffic and over-development fears.

Cllr Catrin Wager added her view that the plans did not meet the local need and pointed to the objection of Bangor Civic Society, describing it as “excessive in scale and height” in the gateway to the city.

With Blenheim House thought to be the former home of the stationmaster, she suggested that this should have become a listed building alongside the railway station itself, pointing to the already lost Railway Institute.

“I would welcome this building being brought back to use, but this is not the right development,” concluded Cllr Wager.

Fellow Bangor councillor and planning committee member, Huw Wyn Jones, added: “I don’t think the images accurately portray just how domineering the new building would be, standing three metres above street level as it is.

“They want to build this monstrous building, I don’t think there’s any justification.”

Councillors unanimously rejected the planning application.