“Much needed” disabled accommodation plan approved

Plans to develop specialist holiday accommodation for the disabled will go ahead after planners stuck to their guns despite the concerns of council officers.

Anglesey Council’s planning committee had been recommended to refuse the plans after concerns were flagged over the distance of the site from public transport and other amenities.

But meeting again on Wednesday after a month’s “cooling off” period, members stuck to their earlier decision to back the proposals at Cymunod, between Bryngwran and Caergeiliog, describing the plans as “unique” and filling a known gap in the island’s accommodation provision.

As a result,  the redundant barns will now be converted into four holiday units, each consisting of between two and five bedrooms each and adapted to accommodate wheelchairs and disabled access.

In December councillors were told that the applicants, Sioned and Iolo Jones, had lived on the island all of their lives but were looking to diversify the farm business after becoming aware of the lack of suitable accommodation due to themselves having a  disabled son who is a wheelchair user.

But with the officers’ report flagging up concerns that the farm’s relative isolation would mean that only private transport would be suitable, one member described their findings and recommendation as “over zealous.”

Cllr Robin Williams added: “The report should be clear that this proposal is for accommodation for the disabled and must say that the planning department has been over zealous in their interpretation of policy.

“If the users are disabled and need the use of a wheelchair then they are going to need use of a car to get back and forth regardless, and I will back the application.”

Ken Hughes, one of the local members for Talybolion, described the units as “bespoke” and there being a “clear need” for such a development on the island.
“This development will not lead to the loss of any existing housing stock nor will it impact on any neighbours, with no objections whatsoever having been raised within the community,” added Cllr Hughes.

“From the heart I urge you to support the applicants in their attempt to make a difference.”

Members voted unanimously to go against the advice of officers in backing the application.

By Gareth Williams – Local Democracy Reporter