Everything to do with Conwy

[SteveH]

A FORMER chapel building in Conwy could be converted into a holiday home complex, after plans were submitted.

The Grade II listed Capel Carmel building, a former Welsh Presbyterian Church, and the adjacent schoolhouse, on Chapel Street, would become residential holiday properties under new plans submitted to Conwy County Borough Council.

The vacant building dates back to the late 19th century, and the schoolhouse, which was a Sunday school for the chapel, is listed in its own right.

Under the plans, an area of the site surrounding the buildings would be demolished.

Sections of the buildings would be converted into a gaming area, barbecue and bar area, multiple terrace decks, bedrooms, a dining room, kitchen, and a lounge area, complete with an outdoor hot tub.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24025246.listed-former-conwy-chapel-become-holiday-homes/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Giant 'carbuncle' could be removed from historic Conwy's skyline - and many will be glad
The 'concrete monstrosity' has been a dominant feature in the Medieval town for 60 years

"Giant carbuncle" and "concrete monstrosity" are two descriptions of a prominent landmark that's been on the Conwy skyline for the past 60 years. Situated by the quay in the centre of historic Conwy, the original Civic Hall was designed in a Tudor Gothic style.

But following a fire in 1966, the hall was rebuilt in sheet concrete, with parts of the old foyer and tower incorporated. It is fair to say it divided opinion in the UNESCO World Heritage Site - and most people fell on the side of hating it.

The future of the Civic Hall has been up in the air for years with the theatre section on the upper floor closing and the library later moving to the Conwy Culture Centre. Pub chain JD Wetherspoon promised to invest ?3m, creating 50 jobs in the town in 2018 but the council?s cabinet turned down that offer, which was the only bid for the site at the time.

Now an application has been submitted to Conwy council to secure planning permission. It contains more details on the proposals - including the plan to remove the 1960s concrete block.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/giant-carbuncle-could-removed-historic-28439504?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[Hugo]

It asks the question, which Planning Office  allowed the carbuncle to happen in the first place?

The Planning office of CCBC  is still making costly blunders but doesn't seem to learn from past mistakes made.     

[Cambrian]

Until 1974 the Planning Authority for Conwy town was the then Caernarfonshire County Council which discharged the function via a Northern Area Planning Committee.  The committee comprised County Councillors plus representatives from each of the District or Borough Councils whose area it covered.  The planning staff were employees of the County Council.  It is very doubtful if any of the current  planners at Conwy CBC were even born in the mid 1960s.  The corresponding Authority for Colwyn Bay/Rhos etc was the Western Area Planning Committee of the County Council of the true Denbighshire.

If you put 5 different planning officers in a room, you would get 5 different views on an application - unlike most other professional disciplines, planning is not an exact process.  Nothing changes.

[Hugo]

If you put 5 different planning officers in a room, you would get 5 different views on an application - unlike most other professional disciplines, planning is not an exact process.  Nothing changes.

And there lies the problem Cambrian.     Decisions are made at a Planning Committee meeting  by people who are not qualified on planning issues
If anyone attends a Planning Committee meeting or views it online they would be shocked to witness how little effort is put in by the Councillors.      All the matters seem to be rubber stamped and the only thing that the Planning Committee seem to be able to agree on is their pay and expenses

[SteveH]

A DERELICT landmark that dominates the Conwy town skyline could be transformed into a hub for business and tourism, as part of new plans submitted to the council.

The Grade II listed Conwy Civic Hall dates back to 1898, and lies on the site believed to have once been used as a marketplace at some point after the 17th century.

Large parts of the original building were destroyed in the fire of 1966, which lead to the construction of a ?concrete box? section in the late 1960s, which comprises most of the site.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24058777.detrimental-sections-forgotten-conwy-landmark-removed/

[SteveH]

CONWY Police Station is set to be partly demolished and transformed into an apart-hotel with a possible cafe  if planning permission is granted.

Plans have been submitted by architects for the former police station on Lancaster Square which include repairs, alterations, and partial demolition of the building.

The station is a listed building within Conwy?s walls, a World Heritage Site, but has been closed since 2022, with police operations gradually scaled back over the years.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24094986.hotel-plans-former-conwy-police-station/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[Hugo]

Group wants to save 'fortified brutalism' on Conwy's skyline that others call a 'carbuncle'
Twentieth Century Society objects to proposal to remove concrete addition to Conwy Civic Hall

They say Gwilym Parry-Davies? cubic concrete design (1967-73) "has a fortified appearance that references the great medieval defensive town walls and gateways that bound the building".    They must have spent too much time in the Liverpool Arms to reach that thought




https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/group-wants-save-fortified-brutalism-28718109

[SteveH]

A NEW technical centre for boats is set to open at Conwy Marina, representing a ?600,000 investment in state-of-the-art boating facilities.

boatcare, a national boat maintenance company, announced the launch of the bespoke centre, which will officially open tomorrow (March .

The spacious facility can accommodate vessels of up to 14 metres, and offers weatherproof services at Conwy for the first time.

The cutting-edge space, which has been furnished with state-of-the-art equipment for boat servicing and maintenance, will improve the services available to both boatcare?s existing customers and the wider local boating community.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24169216.600-000-boat-centre-launched-conwy-marina/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

A GRADE II listed building in Conwy which is the home of a coffee shop has been placed on the market.

Garden Bistro 22, based at 22 Rose Hill Street, has been put up for sale ?as a going concern? via agents St Davids Commercial, with an asking price set of ?51,000.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24176841.conwy-listed-building-put-sale-coffee-shop-garden/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

An historic town in North Wales is among the top 72 best places to live in the UK, according to a 2024 list drawn up by The Sunday Times. The walled town of Conwy was in a seven-strong shortlist of Welsh towns and villages rated ?fantastic? places to live.

Judges assessed factors such as schools, transport, culture, access to green spaces and the health of the high street. Broadband speeds were also considered, along with the affordability of houses.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/enchanting-north-wales-town-named-28818516

[SteveH]

A FAMOUS face was spotted in Conwy this morning (March 21), stopping for photos with residents on the way.

Television presenter Andi Peters, known for his role in The Broom Cupboard and for presenting shows such as GMTV and Good Morning Britain, took selfies with residents on his visit.

One resident, Michael Davies, said it was a "pleasure" to meet the TV star, adding he was a "true gentleman" for stopping for a picture.

Mr Davies said Peters was in Conwy filming for Good Morning Britain.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24200263.true-gentleman-tv-presenter-andi-peters-spotted-conwy/

[SteveH]

Mysterious 'Jackdaw Chair' with peculiar tradition returns to rightful home in North Wales
The ornate chair was once thought lost after disappearing from the town of Conwy

Its origins have been lost in the mists of time but legend has it that Conwy?s ?Jackdaw Chair? was once the seat of a peculiar tradition. Framed by two carved jackdaws, perching ominously above whoever sits there, the chair once resided in the town?s Castle Hotel.

As well as bearing the town crest, it?s inscribed prominently with the word ?Jackdaw?. This is the nickname (Jac-do in Welsh) that's given to people born within the walls of Conwy town, reflecting the bird?s fondness for nesting on the town walls and medieval castle ramparts.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/mysterious-jackdaw-chair-peculiar-tradition-28889290?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

In an ideal world.. but, If you want tourism footfall, then maybe you have to take the bad with the good?, or use the tourist tax to pay for extra clean up?

Conwy bins overflowing with rubbish but council blames public for 'no excuse' littering
'If a bin is full, people should use the next available bin instead'

A North Wales council has blamed the public for rubbish-strewn streets at a World Heritage Site after bins were left unemptied over the bank-holiday weekend. Overfilled bins meant Conwys High Street pavements were strewn with chip shop cartons, ice cream containers, and pizza boxes during the busy Easter holidays.

It is not the first time unemptied bins has led to rubbish-strewn streets in the town during busy holiday periods. A spokeswoman for Conwy County Council blamed the public for creating the mess.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-bins-overflowing-rubbish-council-28925729

[SteveH]

Colwyn Bay?s former Halifax branch could be converted into a shop. Applicant Kaleem Ahmed, of Knightsbridge Property Development, has applied to Conwy County Council?s planning department, seeking permission for a change of use of 7 Penrhyn Road from a bank and building society.

Mr Ahmed wants permission to change the use to commercial use, such as a shop, while also creating two additional apartments. According to the planning application, the building currently houses three vacant flats, one flat on the first floor and two on the second.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/former-halifax-branch-north-wales-28936966