A COACH depot will be built in St Asaph after Denbighshire ’s planning committee voted unanimously in favour of the project.
The new depot will be at St Asaph Business Park as M&H Coaches looks to move from its current base in Trefnant. The depot will feature a main workshop with a capacity for two coaches.
The plans were submitted by Ryan Owen at a meeting in Ruthin ’s county hall. Members of the planning committee spoke in favour of the application after officers advised councillors to back the plans.
Cllr Merfyn Parry said, “I’d like to support this recommendation. I think it is a thriving local business that is growing from where they are.
Putting them onto a business estate is an excellent location for them to be.”
Cllr James Elson added, “The current site is in my ward in Trefnant, and with it being a conservation area, I have no qualms as to the impact or damage that a coach park such as this would do to the business park. We have no trouble with the travelling of the coaches through Trefnant in a conservation area. I support it from two points: it’s an expanding business and that many of the employees are moving with them to the new site as it is only just down the road, so it has no impact on the employment in Trefnant.”
Cllr Gareth Sandilands said, “It’s a good example of a local business with local jobs,” he said.
“I’ve noticed they are very environmentally conscious.” Cllr Delyth Jones added, “It is lovely to see a local company expanding in such a difficult economic period.”
The general building will be characterised by wooden or composite insulated metal cladding, ranging from one to three storeys, with a mix of windowed office spaces and enclosed warehouses. There will also be offices, a visitor reception area, unisex bathrooms, showers, bathrooms, and changing rooms.
A wash bay, storage areas, staff room, canteen, and sheltered cycle storage are also planned. Twenty-six full-time workers will be employed at the depot and 15 part-time staff.
The depot will open Monday to Friday between 7 am to 7 pm. A noise assessment concluded that noise from the depot is unlikely to bother residents as there aren’t any properties nearby.
