A full planning application has been submitted to transform the former Waterloo Inn and neighbouring retail units in Bangor into new homes and retail stalls, marking a major step in ongoing efforts to revitalise the city centre.
The proposal, lodged by Olton Developments Ltd, would see the disused public house on Waterloo Street and part of the adjoining WH Smith and USC buildings converted into 13 self-contained flats. The mix includes eight one-bedroom, four two-bedroom, and one three-bedroom apartments.
Under the plans, the ground floor fronting Bangor High Street would remain in commercial use, with two former retail units reconfigured to create 24 smaller stalls aimed at providing affordable space for local traders and independent businesses.
The Waterloo Inn, once a popular local pub, closed its doors in 2020 and has stood empty since. A previous pre-application considered converting only the pub’s lower ground floor into three flats, but the latest scheme expands the redevelopment to include the adjoining retail space as part of a wider regeneration effort.
According to a planning statement submitted with the application, the site has been vacant for several years despite extensive marketing. Estate agents Dafydd Hardy reported no offers for the former pub since it was listed in 2022, supporting the case that it is no longer viable as a community facility.
Market analysis from local agents also found strong demand for affordable, modern one- and two-bedroom apartments in Bangor, particularly among young professionals, while the proposed rents are expected to fall within local affordability guidelines.
No external changes are proposed to the buildings, which sit within Bangor’s Conservation Area, meaning the development would focus entirely on internal conversion and refurbishment.
Planning officers have acknowledged that the key considerations will be justifying the loss of the pub as a community facility and confirming the need for the type and number of homes proposed. Early feedback suggests that matters such as parking and residential amenity are unlikely to present major issues.
The application can be viewed in full via Gwynedd Council’s online planning portal.
