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Waterfront former Menai Bridge pub could become nursing home

The Former Mostyn Arms, Menai Bridge (Pic: Google Map)

A DERELICT waterfront pub in Menai Bridge could now become a care facility after plans were approved.

Councillors on Anglesey voted to permit the redevelopment of the former Mostyn Arms pub at its October meeting.

Anglesey County Council’s planning and orders committee agreed with the officer’s recommendation to approve proposals from applicant Garry Poole to convert the once popular pub on St George’s Road.

It is now set to become a 10-bedroom residential care facility.

The 19th century property has been vacant since 2009, and it has been described as being in “a poor state of repair”.

The new facility would provide a home for people over 55, offering facilities for residents with “a range of needs”.

The applicants had stated there was “an increasing desire from an ageing population for developments adapted to the needs of older persons”.

The application had attracted local objections, chiefly over traffic and parking issues.

At the meeting on October 2, planning officer Rhys Jones said the parking provision was “a little less, at five, rather than the required six,” but was considered “sufficient,” and added there was considered “ample parking” in the local area.

However local member Councillor Sonia Williams spoke against the application saying her “concern” was over the location and parking provision, which was only for five cars, two nearby and three in a newly built garage.

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“Because of its size they would have to be very small cars to get three into that garage,” she said.

There was no other parking near the site and double yellow lines between the building and the garage, she added.

“We see staff and contractors park on these double yellow lines daily, and I have had a number of complaints.”

Parking by the pier had been raised during a site visit, but she described how an annual pass was required.

She said: “I have had a number of complaints that local people can’t get a ticket because of the number available.”

There were some public parking spaces, but the area was “very busy,” she said.

Parking was a “contentious matter” which brought “a lot of complaints”, she said, adding it was “only parking complaints that I have had about the Mostyn”.

Cllr Jeff Evans was strongly in favour saying: “Fifteen years this building has been empty.

“Fifteen years, without anyone putting in an application. Now we have someone who wants to develop the property into a much, much needed facility on the island, a residential care facility.”

Citing how some residents had to send elderly relatives off the island for the care, he said it was a “no brainer for me” adding: “This would be so supportive of today’s needs.”

He proposed accepting the officer’s recommendation saying it was “a wonderful opportunity” to have another residential care home on the island.

Cllr Dafydd Roberts was “not against the use” but had “concerns” over the parking and access, querying if there was enough room to pull up and transfer elderly or vulnerable people to the facility.

Cllr Neville Evans said he shared Cllr Roberts’ views, with his main concerns over the location.

He was also concerned at the wording of comments on a sign outside the building, which he said stated: “This development will not be home to former convicted criminals or such people.”

He said: “I think that is a disgrace.”

The planning officer confirmed there would be adequate provision outside the building for a “stopping place, to pull up and drop someone off”.

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