Prominent Deganwy Building Faces Flats Conversion Opposition

A prominent Deganwy building could be converted into flats – despite opposition from neighbours.
Simon Garantini has applied to Conwy’s planning department, seeking permission to convert 1-3 Station Road into apartments.
The applicant wants to demolish the existing Robertson Geologging Ltd building and erect 19 apartments at the corner of Station Road and York Road.
But neighbours Mr and Mrs Merrick have written to Conwy’s planning department in opposition to the plans.
“The proposal can’t deliver affordable housing, so who are the target buyers?” the letter reads.
“Retirement apartments for wealthy buyers seem unlikely. This design doesn’t really fit that model, and there are always retirement apartments on the market in Deganwy. So is it aimed at Airbnb or buy to let?”
According to the planning application, neighbours have been consulted, and Robertson plan to move staff to another site.
In a planning statement, the applicant’s agent, Jamie Bradshaw, said: “This proposal would utilise a brownfield that is well located within Deganwy to provide a high-quality apartment scheme that would be suited to its setting and context within its locality.
“The scheme would also make a valuable contribution to addressing the shortfall in housing supply in the county and would also utilise a site that is no longer required by the applicant for their business and is unlikely to be taken up for another commercial use.”
The planning application will likely be debated at a future Conwy County Council planning committee meeting at Bodlondeb.

By Richard Evans – Local Democracy Reporter