Over 55s social housing flats scheme in Caernarfon approved

Cyngor Gywnedd council planners agreed an application with conditions to redevelop the Garej Lleiod area, on Llanberis Road.

Used as an MOT, repairs and servicing site it was previously a petrol filling station and shop – but could now provide “affordable and sustainable” social housing rental flats.

The full planning application was submitted by housing association Adra.

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It would see the redevelopment of the site and construction of a four-storey residential building.

The proposals were for 21 flats, for rent by individuals over 55s or the disabled, including seven, two person one-bedroom flats, and 14, three person two-bedroom flats, as well as providing a communal lounge, buggy/bikes storage area, plant room, bins storage, car parking spaces and landscaping.

Over 55s social housing plan for the Lleiod Garage site (Image: Google Map)

The site, located to the east of Caernarfon town centre, was within the Caernarfon development boundary, defined by the adopted

Gwynedd and Anglesey Joint Local Development Plan (LDP), the planning meeting heard, on Monday, December 19.

The plans included soft landscaping, flower potting sheds, and the development of outdoor sitting areas and communal area.

Currently, there was a single access for pedestrians, cycles, and vehicles from the A4086 Llanberis Road.

It was proposed to close the access and introduce a new vehicular access at the western end of the site frontage, with three pedestrian accesses at the western, central and eastern end of the proposed building.

The full plans included the demolition of existing buildings, a car sales forecourt, workshop, forecourt canopy as well as a kiosk and shop which was previously a part of the petrol station, and erect the new building.

According to Adra’s plans, it was “committed” to offering 100 percent of the units as “affordable” – exceeding the Gwynedd Planning Guide calls for 20 percent of developments to be “affordable”.

“As the scheme will be homes for older people all the units will be placed on level of social rent,” the application read.

Planning officer Arwel Thomas said the site was “suitable” for residential development and “acceptable in principle”.

He reported that there were “currently 170 people who needed a one bedroom unit in Caernarfon and 175 in need of two bedroom units”.

The scheme would allow people currently in “unsuitable accommodation” to move, and he said the plans aimed to meet housing needs in the town.

It was not considered that the height of the building was out of character, or in conflict with the street or landscape.

Concerns, however, were raised over drainage, highways matters, and the number of parking spaces, marked as 16.

The impact of the proposal on the woodland behind the site, the ownership of Coed Cadw, and the woodland along Afon Cadnant subject to a woodland protection order was also discussed.

No objections had been received against the application, and planners had recommended that officers delegate the right to approve the application, subject to conditions.

Speaking by video a representative for Adra said he welcomed the planners recommendation.

Adra was an organisation set up in 2010 to “provide quality affordable homes and services to tenants,” he said.

He claimed there were 170 one-bedroomed social flats needed in Caernarfon and 135 people needing two bedroomed accommodation – figures slightly different to the planners’ figures.

The proposals had already been “reduced in scale” and windows amended to limit “overlook” on existing properties.

In respect of “scale, design, setting and amenity” the plans complied with policy and were within a “residential, developed area” and “in priciple” considered “acceptable,” he said.

Addressing the provision of car parking, and describing the site’s proximity to bus services and walking distance to town, he added that “Adra considered 13 parking spaces to be sufficient”.

There were “no outstanding objections concerning biodiversity, sustainability, land drainage, pollution or linguistic matters”.

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The proposal would “greatly improve” the appearance of the site and meet affordable housing needs, he said.

Local members Cllr Dawn Lynne Jones and Councillor Dewi Jones, were unable to attend the meeting, but had shared their “no objections” to the scheme.

Cllr Anne Lloyd Jones proposed the application be accepted, seconded by Cllr Gareth Coj Parry.

During the open floor discussion, Cllr Gruffydd Williams said he was “not against the plan,” but had “some concerns that matters raised in a highways report had not been fully addressed”.

Following a short debate, planning officers concluded assessments had been made and the development was “acceptable in terms of planning policy”.

Cllr Gareth Jones added the development was “in a central location” and “accessible and sustainable”.

He also noted observations by Caernafron Town Council querying the meaning of “local.”

He added that he supported the plan, as there was “a need for this kind of accommodation” in the town.

Councillors agreed to the plans, with ten votes in favour, no abstentions and one against.