PLANS to develop 18 “affordable” homes on a vacant former nursing home site in Bethesda have been put on hold.
Proposals to develop the Brig Y Nant land on Ffordd Newydd Coetmor have attracted “strong” local objections.
Cyngor Gwynedd’s planning committee was considering a scheme to erect the dwellings and develop a new road and landscaping.
But during its meeting today, (March 20) the committee unanimously agreed to defer their decision for a site visit.
The land was formerly the site of a nursing home destroyed by fire in 2008.
The Bethesda Community Council had objected stating in a report the number of homes was “excessive”.
It had concerns over “more traffic” reaching the cross-road between Ffordd Newydd Coetmor and the A5, which it described as “a nightmare”.
Drains, knotweed and loss of footpaths and landfill were also issues.
A public consultation gathered more concerns, including road safety, the A5 being “unsuitable” for more transport, over-development, a detrimental effect on local services and resources, loss of privacy, noise, land stability and wildlife impact.
The council plans list the applicant as Danie Pollock, through agent Daniel Russell, Kingscrown Properties Ltd, the design plans reference Premier Builders Ltd and Adra.
The planning report stated that it was believed the proposal “as submitted, would improve the visual appearance of the site that is currently dormant”.
Planning officer Idwal Williams outlined the full application which included 12 two-bedroom houses; four three bedroom houses and two four-bedroom houses.
It would also provide parking spaces within the curtilage of each house and off-road. As a brownfield site, it was considered “acceptable in principle”.
The homes would not create loss of privacy to existing houses or be “oppressive”, and construction working hours would be restricted for noise mitigation, he said.
A land survey would ensure “no risk of lansdlip”, and a one per cent increase of traffic was not considered “a material increase” or to affect traffic flow, suitability and visibility on the A5 north and south of the junction “also complied”.
Speaking by video, the agent said there was “an overwhelming need” for the homes in the area.
But in a statement read out by Chairman Cllr Edgar Owen for local member Cllr Rheinallt Puw, the site was described as “entirely unsuitable” and with “so much opposition”.
Cllr Anne Lloyd Jones proposed a site visit, seconded by Cllr Delyth Lloyd Griffith, who felt “there are too many houses”.
Cllr Gareth Jones said it would be better to go and see the site – because of the objections.
Councillor Gruff Williams queried a ”disregard” for policy over children’s play areas.
Cllr Elwyn Jones also noted children would have to cross Coetmor New Road to get to a play area.
Cllr Gareth Jones added: “We should visit the site, I need to see it again. I suspect the entrance is too narrow.”
