A NEW children’s home will be built in Mochdre.
Conwy’s planning committee granted permission for a planning application submitted by the council’s social services department for the new home at Glan yr Afon in Mochdre.
The existing building on Mochdre Road is currently used as a children’s home but is in need of modernisation for continued use.
Glan yr Afon is a former house, which was also used as a day nursery before it became a children’s home.
But the committee learned how inspectors visited Glan yr Afon and highlighted several concerns, leading to a council feasibility study and proposals to demolish the building.
Glan yr Afon will now be replaced with a purpose-built facility in line with modern legislation.
Eight full-time staff will be employed at the new home and the number of children living at Glan yr Afon will remain the same.
The council’s planning officers recommended that the committee back the plans, which were supported unanimously.
Cllr Austin Roberts proposed that councillors supported the plans, and this was seconded by Cllr Dave Jones,
“This is an important facility for the council’s social services,” said Cllr Roberts.
Cllr David Carr added: “This is a resource we really need in the county.”
Councillors heard how the building will be made ‘futureproof’ and more sustainable.
The new building will measure 21m by 9.6m over two floors.
The ground floor will include a kitchen, dining room, living room, education room, games room, and snug, as well as a meeting room and staff office.
The first floor will provide four children’s bedrooms and two staff bedrooms, each with ensuite facilities. The building will be clad with cladding and rendered with a tiled roof.
