Housing plan for dormant Bangor infant school site

Gwynedd planners approved a proposal to develop council homes  at the dormant Ysgol Babanod Coed Mawr site.

The former school was located in a residential area south of the city centre, between Caernarfon Road and Penrhos Road.

Also known as Coed Mawr Infant School, it closed in 2018 as part of a £12.7 million investment into primary education in Bangor.

Cyngor Gwynedd’s planning committee agreed to a full application to erect  intermediate affordable dwellings  on the site, together with associated works, at its recent planning meeting.

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It had accepted re-submission proposal for a development which had been approved back in April, 2023.

The proposals had since been adapted to allow changes in the design to “respond to draining requirements” and meant the layout of the development was changed.

Ysgol Babanod Mawr siite In Bangor where 10 affordable homes will be developed (Image Cyngor Gwynedd Planning Docs)

Permission had to be sought again as  this  had meant “material changes”  from what had already been approved.

However,  the only difference between the two plans, a planning report noted,  was “the change to the site’s arrangement to facilitate an amended surface water drainage system.”

There was no change to the total of units or the tenure method for the proposed housing.

The application had been made by Rhys Carden for Cyngor Gwynedd through agent  Jamie Bradshaw of Owen Devenport.

The current site includes remains of the former school building. The site backs on to homes at Ffordd Coed Mawr to the north,  Toronnen in the east,  and Lôn y Bedw in the south.  To the west was an unclassified county highway and with residential properties of Bron y De to the west.

The  planning report noted that the development would not create “oppressive structures” and would  “not entail overlooking and significant loss of privacy at the expense of the amenities of nearby occupants.”

A public consultation had seen notices posted on site, in the press and nearby residents had been informed, a report stated.  Correspondence was received “expressing support,” the plans noted.

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Welsh Water had offered observations regarding the need to protect sewerage and water and had  provided “specific guidance” for the applicants.

Public protection officers had also felt that construction work “could cause noise and dust problems to nearby residents.”

They had requested “conditions to manage working hours and ensure a detailed  plan to manage dust, noise and vibration as a result of the construction work before starting work on the site.”

In conclusion, the planning office had felt “the proposal, as submitted, would improve the visual appearance of the site which is currently dormant.

“Furthermore, it is believed that the fact that 100% of the proposed residential dwellings would be affordable and respond to the identified needs of the community, means that this plan would contribute significantly to the city centre’s affordable housing needs.”

It stated “no substantial harmful impact was identified that is contrary to local planning policy and relevant national advice.”

The plan was believed to be “acceptable subject to including relevant conditions” and was recommended for approval.

The matter was passed with 10 votes in support.