An OLD Colwyn church could soon be transformed into a café and gallery – if it gets the green light from planning officials.
A developer has submitted a planning application to Conwy Council’s planning department, seeking to transform the vacant St Catherine Parish Church on Abergele Road into a new residential unit, multi-purpose café, and gallery.
Hertfordshire-based applicant Adrian Gaskell wants to modernise the Grade II listed building by adding an additional floor, building a glass extension at the top of the bell tower, and adding solar panels.
Other changes proposed include conservation roof lights, internal and external alterations, and secondary glazing.
The development would create four full-time and two part-time jobs.
But Tricia and Ben Williams live on Church Walks opposite the church and objected to the plans.
In a letter to Conwy Council, the couple made several complaints relating to parking provision, views, and loss of privacy.
While they were supportive of the church being transformed into a home, they didn’t want the building to be converted into a café or gallery.
“Access on Church Walks is already very limited, due to Hen Golwyn Primary School in front of us and the gym located behind us,” the letter reads.
“We often struggle to park by our own property as it is, let alone if there were numerous vans parking here whilst work was being done.
“The glass extension on the bell tower looks rather out of place for a conservation area and would ruin the aesthetic of an 18-century church.
“The bell tower is a focal point to the church and looks lovely as it is.
“We think the glass extension isn’t suitable or in keeping with the look of the area.
“Solar panels – even though these look to be located at the front roof of the building, we again feel these are too modern for a very traditional building.”
The couple also worried about the development affecting other small businesses.
The letter concluded: “There are numerous pubs and cafes close to the church, and therefore this isn’t required.
“The pubs and independent shops are already struggling, and to have another one on the street isn’t going to benefit anyone.”
But an independent report commissioned by the developer concluded the application should be approved.
The application will likely be debated at a future planning committee meeting.
