Rhyl High Street building is a ‘profound’ danger to public safety

Denbighshire County Council has applied for Conservation Area Consent to demolish a shop on Rhyl High Street after it emerged the building posed a ‘profound’ risk to pedestrians and traffic.

The council has now registered a planning application for permission to demolish the building at 123 High Street as a matter of urgency.

The application is part of the council’s plans to demolish several buildings on the stretch considered to be dangerous. The council closed the High Street to traffic between the pedestrianised section and the Vale Road Bridge when the building was initially found to be dangerous in January.

A published council report claims the structure of the building is now unstable and the area key to the regeneration of the town.
The report surmises:
“Following a structural engineer’s report, it was confirmed that 123-125 is a dangerous structure and requires demolition as a matter of urgency.
“Given the property’s location in a prime Town Centre location adjacent to pedestrians and highway, delays to demolish could lead to profound public safety issues.”

The council’s structural engineer’s report also revealed: “123 – 125 High Street is in a poor structural condition, is unsafe and poses a danger to passing vehicles and pedestrians. The ongoing deterioration will result in a collapse if action is not undertaken soon.
“Remedial works to strengthen the property in the short term from the inside are considered unsuitable due to the unsafe working conditions, and it is therefore recommended that the property is demolished, especially the front elevation at least.”

The application follows an assessment considering the preservation and enhancement of the conservation area, which includes several nearby listed buildings.

The listed buildings in the area include the Apollo Cinema and Bingo Club, 90, 135, 137, 139 and 141 High Street. O’Grady’s Irish Bar (95 High Street) is also a listed building.

But the authority has so far remained tight-lipped over its exact plans but admitted it is negotiating the purchase of several buildings. Similar planning applications are expected to follow for 127-129 and 131 High Street, and the council has revealed it plans to create a high value public open space at a prominent junction in the town.

Denbighshire County Council has previously said it will work with the community and carry out a full consultation on its plans.

By Richard Evans – Local Democracy Reporter