The National Probation Service is looking to move its Bangor office to Caernarfon, in a move that would also transfer 45 members of staff.

The criminal justice agency,  part of Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service, currently has administrative offices at Parc Menai near Bangor.

But in a submission to Gwynedd Council, the Ministry of Justice has applied for planning permission to move to a site opposite Caernarfon’s Crown and Magistrates Courts.

Noting it would “not be appropriate” to continue to be based in Bangor following the opening of a contact centre for victims of sexual abuse, the planning application represents a change of use for what was formerly a court building before planning was approved in August 2019 for its conversion to a children’s play centre.

“The National Probation Service (NPS) supervise service users living in the community, many of which have been released into the community following a prison sentence,” note the supporting planning documents.

“The aim is to protect the public from the risks posed by service users, support victims of crime, reduce re-offending and help build safer communities

“NPS have been required to relocate the service following the opening of a Contact Centre in Bangor for victims of sexual abuse.

“It was not considered appropriate for the two sites to be located within close proximity to each other given the service users that will attend each site.

“As such there is an urgent need for NPS to relocate.”

Confirming that the move would also mean a move for the 45 members of staff currently based in Bangor, it concluded: “The property will be used for meetings and interviews with young offenders only as well as associated administrative tasks.

“The service that will be provided by the NPS from this site is currently being delivered from their existing premises in Bangor.”

It’s expected that Gwynedd Council’s planning department will consider the application over the coming months.