It’s a coincidence you posted on this page Ian. I was going to post on this topic again this week, with more information on the planning issues in Penrhos Road.
The land is indeed owned by Mr Lynch. He also owns the Rothesay Hotel and has granted permission to demolish and build an apartment block there. He was also responsible for both apartment blocks either side of the Toad hall.
Nemesis is quite right. The grade 2 listed building, Ridge Cottage was built, owned and lived in by Mr Sidney Colwyn Foulkes. The house next-door was also built by the same gentleman. Apparently, Ridge Cottage is undergoing restoration by its owners, and the house is almost original to the day it was built. Each past owner has a book of photographs showing the house and original owner, which has to be passed to the next owner and preserved with the house. When I get the time, I will pluck up the courage to knock on the door and ask if I can photograph the photos in the book. I’m sure someone apart from me will find them of some interest?
Anyway, since my initial posting regarding the site on the car park behind Stafford house in Penrhos Road, the application was rejected during a Planning Hearing, and again in the second ‘cooling down’ Hearing. I am told that although CCBC planning Officers were all in favour of Granting Permission in both Hearings, only two Planning Committee Members voted for the building. Apparently this was because the building “would not be out of keeping” and “something will have to be built there”. Neither Councillor mentioned the effects this building would have on the poor residents in Seacrest…
Luckily, the remaining Councillors did agree with objectors and there were a lot of questions raised about the light report and the proposed effects the building will cause to those living along side it.
Mr Lynch has now filed an Appeal with the Welsh Assembly. A planning Inspector is now viewing the case (for the third time) and there will be a Hearing on June 25th.
Lastly, the planning application for the land next to Ridge Cottage is still in the hands of CCBC Planning Officers, who are (no doubt) trying to find a way a large modern block can be built beside Ridge Cottage, without causing outrage from locals.
When I find out more, I will post it here.