Developers say it was “always the intention” to respect site’s historic name

Developers behind a luxury holiday scheme on Anglesey say they plan to respect the site’s historic Welsh name following concerns that the area’s local heritage is being lost.

The former Glynllifon hotel site near Marianglas is currently being marketed as luxury town houses known as “Traeth Bychan Heights,” described as “suited for a high end holiday investment or secure second home retreat.”

But with the site having long been known as Glynllifon –  even appearing on the Welsh historic place names register dating back to the mid 19th Century –  both councillors and the local authority had written to developers urging them to respect its long established past.

Yesterday, agents acting on behalf of the developers confirmed that while “Traeth Bychan Heights” is being used for marketing purposes, the development itself would be known as Glynllifon and say that was “always the intention.”

They say that Glynllifon Ltd’s decision to market as “Traeth Bychan Heights” was intended to avoid confusion after the failure of a wholly separate proposals to rename a similarly named luxury mansion on the other side of the Menai Strait.

In 2015, MBI Hotels pulled out of a bid to buy the 102 bedroom Plas Glynllifon near Caernarfon, blaming “negative reaction” after revealing plans to rename it “Wynnborn”.

Plas Glynllifon in Llandwrog, Gwynedd, is currently in the hands of receivers.

“We agree completely that the site should reflect the original name and confirm that this is indeed the plan,” said the agent, adding that the site lying between Benllech and Marianglas had been an “eyesore for decades.”

“After consultation, the developers were advised to use a different name for advertising purposes, due to the ongoing saga with ‘Plas Glynllifon’ a property located on the periphery of Caernarfon, just in case it caused confusion and possibly deter potential purchasers.

“The developers have confirmed that the name has now been changed to Uchelion Traeth Bychan Heights in the interim, but will be named Glynllifon after the development is finished.”

Anglesey Council confirmed last week that discussions were underway in a bid to persuade developers to respect the historic name, but that it possessed no enforcement powers to compel them to act.

Anglesey does, however,  “discourage” such applications by asking applicants to reconsider the name change and to only return after a two week “cooling off” period.

The three local county councillors had come together to urge developers to respect the site’s history, known for generations as Glynllifon dating back to the mid 19th century.
Responding to the firm’s latest statement, Cllr Margaret Murley Roberts said: “I’m pleased that they realise the importance of maintaining local names and local history.
“Perhaps that this goes to show that local consultation is the way forward.”

By Gareth Williams – Local Democracy Reporter