A DECISION to turn a former private Bangor school site into a residential centre helping people recover from alcohol and drugs misuse has been approved.

Cyngor Gwynedd planners made the decision despite some concerns at the site’s proximity to schools and that ‘vulnerable children’ could pass by the site.

The full application concerned the former Hillgrove School on Ffordd Ffriddoedd

The well known school in Bangor was founded in 1934, but closed in 2017.

It went on the market for £1.9m, but was later reduced to £1.5m.

The North Wales Recovery Communities (NWRC) charity, currently based at the  Penrhyn House, in Maesgeirchen, then proposed to move to the site.

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Plans were submitted to secure a change of its use from former school (Use Class D1) to a hostel (Use Class C2).

The site would offer living support and community activities for residents as well as  an extension and associated building work, the planning committee heard on Monday. (November 7.)

An “internal reorganisation” of the Hiilgrove buildings was also proposed, with the intention to erect a single-storey, flat roof extension, connecting

three school buildings.

The extension would provide 18 bedrooms, with en-suite facilities, dispersed across two floors.

The accommodation would also provide a domestic kitchen for residents,

communal dining area, community lounge, commercial kitchen, dining room, main hall, as well as a staff room and stores.

The site would use existing vehicular access from Ffriddoedd Road with no changes made to parking and access.

The property is within the development boundary of Bangor, between the Ffriddoedd Sports Hall and St Gerard s School.

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Bangor University Ffriddoedd halls of residence were on the adjacent side of the road and a number of private dwellings.

The NWRC charity supports individuals to ‘establish and maintain abstinence’ from long term substance misuse.

Following a public consultation, objections were raised including the site’s proximity to Ysgol Tryfan, Ysgol Friars and St Gerard’s, and fears were raised over attracting drug dealers to the area.

Mr A. Rhys Roberts, for the council’s planning department, outlined objections and support.

They included a ‘detrimental effect’ on schools,  and ‘that it ‘did not make sense’ putting the site close to ‘vulnerable children.’

Questions were also raised over ‘how problems would be dealt with should they arise.’

Others feared it would ‘not create jobs, or said it was ‘not of benefit to local people,’ policy issues were raised, and concerns that it was being used as a care home for the elderly.

However, the charity and supporters for the site,  said it would provide a service – already in existence in the community – in a ‘more suitable building’

Penrhyn House was described as “a building in poor condition”.

Mr A. Rhys Roberts explained a number of the issues were “outside normal planning considerations.”

He said: “Local residents have strong concerns, however considering the potential use for the site without planning permission – it could cause worse harm, by other potential uses.

“It is on a brown field site, the service was already developed in a civic location, and planning policy encourages developments in such sites, therefore recommend approval.”

A member of the public, Mr Harrison then spoke for three minutes.

He had been to see NWRC, saying the charity did “excellent work” and “had a good set-up where they are based”.

“However, this area is full of school children – on a daily basis they might walk past the site,” he said.

“A hostel for people with drug and alcohol problems next to school doesn’t make sense.

“I find it difficult to understand why they have made no comment on the protection of vulnerable children, aged 14 – 18, who use the area.”

Dylan Evans, speaking for the applicant, said: “The comments talk about it as  a hostel, it is a ‘supported communal living’ centre.

“All the centres, 85 percent, are in residential areas without problems,” he e said.

“The buildings are more suitable than Penrhyn House, which is falling down, but the centre there has an excellent record of managing drug and alcohol misuse.”

Cllr Huw Wyn Jones said it was “unlikely” that drug dealers would be attracted to the centre.

“I understand why people are concerned, but I am not sure there is any realistic concern, there is no evidence.

“At Penrhyn House, people are there voluntarily,  they want to live without alcohol or drug in their lives.

“I am not sure why drug dealers would want to target the most difficult audience who don’t want to be involved with drugs  or alcohol.”

He added that service  users were tested at least twice a week, if they failed a test were “moved out immediately”.

He added that he thought drug dealers were “more likely to target the university area, with a 1000 students living over the road”.

Calling for its approval, he added: “As a Bangor lad, I would like to see the building saved, it is a  distinguished building. There  has been interest in buying the site to demolish it and erect something else, perhaps I’m romanticising it, but I’d like to see the building stay.”

The recommendation to approve was proposed by Cllr Anne Lloyd Jones, seconded by Cllr Gareth Parry.

But Cllr Gruff Williams then spoke up.

“I differ with Huw’s opinion, it does not sit comfortably with me, when concerns have been realised by local residents, I also think it does not fit with policies.

“It does not fit with community safety, even the local member has raised some concerns.

“What has been highlighted, there will be many young people milling round, walking past.

“When you talk about people in rehab, how serious are their problems?

“When they are there, they have to be tested twice a week, well it does not take much to relapse just a moment of madness.

“I can’t vote for something that gives rise to so many  concerns.

“Ty Penrhyn and its work does not worry me,  but it’s the location, it is not suitable for such a facility.”

Mr A Rhys Roberts added: “I think what we must bare in mind, is that this use already exists.

“It has operated in Maesgeirchen, we must base the decision on facts not perceptions,  there’s no  planning basis to refuse. It complies with policies and is suitable in this location.”

A vote was taken to approve – 12 for and one against.