What's Llandudno Like Right Now?

[Ian48]

I think it looks good and is far better than Plas y Dre and the old offices there.  It's quite large and imposing, but then a wide street like Gloddaeth needs buildings like that to properly work.

A fair few people must think quite differently from you as over 30% of the properties have already been sold and the official launch isn't even until 25/26 October.  They are really hefty prices for services and parking, but obviously some people must have some serious cash.

[Hugo]

A fair few people must think quite differently from you as over 30% of the properties have already been sold and the official launch isn't even until 25/26 October.  They are really hefty prices for services and parking, but obviously some people must have some serious cash.

I wonder where the over 30% come from then to afford those prices?    I thought that CCBC had a policy of affordable housing for local people and giving them permission to only have 18 parking spaces is just going to add to the congestion problems of that area of Llandudno.

[Ian]

Some kitchens don't have windows, but have 'natural light sun tunnels' Can anyone enlighten me as to what they are?

Skylights, of sorts, I suspect.

[DaveR]

A fair few people must think quite differently from you as over 30% of the properties have already been sold and the official launch isn't even until 25/26 October.  They are really hefty prices for services and parking, but obviously some people must have some serious cash.

I wonder where the over 30% come from then to afford those prices?    I thought that CCBC had a policy of affordable housing for local people and giving them permission to only have 18 parking spaces is just going to add to the congestion problems of that area of Llandudno.

CCBC doesn't have such a policy. National Planning Policy dictates that all residential developments must have a 30% social housing element, but developers can elect to make a cash contribution (commuted sum) to the local authority in lieu of providing the social housing element.

Parking - with it being in a town centre location, planning policy says that many residents will choose not to have a car, thus a 1 parking space per flat requirement is not needed. I can think of several local apartment buildings where the car park is rarely more than 30% full.

[DaveR]

Some kitchens don't have windows, but have 'natural light sun tunnels' Can anyone enlighten me as to what they are?

Skylights, of sorts, I suspect.

It's more like an air duct, where the sides of the duct are highly polished in order to reflect as much light as possible from a skylight down into a room with no natural light.

[Nemesis]

Wasn't that called 'borrowed light'?

Ian48-- yes I agree, Plas y Dre was a mess and this smart new building looks far better.

Hugo-- Yes I would hardly call it 'affordable housing'. It isn't just the purchase price, it is the idea of all the overheads.

Parking-- the area is bad enough with people who work in town avoiding the parking fees on the prom, the area empties after 5pm, but I imagine as Dave says alot of prospective residents will chose not to have a car.

[Dave]

I think that you have to consider the prices for these apartments include other services as well as having an apartment.
I could be wrong but I think M&S also take 10% of the resale value when you come to sell too.Good business as most residents won't be around for that long .

[DaveR]

I take it there must be a Resident Manager and that's never cheap.

[Ian]

Sun tunnels:  all are forms of skylight, but some have prismatic elements to refract and channel the sun down into windowless spaces.



Velux Sun Tunnel skylights

[Nemesis]

Sounds fascinating ! Thanks

[Bri Roberts]

I could be wrong but I think M&S also take 10% of the resale value when you come to sell too.Good business as most residents won't be around for that long .

That is why it is very important to get legal advice on the terms and conditions if any forum members are thinking of purchasing one of their apartments.

I seemed to remember Channel 4 ‘Dispatches’ did a programme on this Developer around 12 months ago.

[Nemesis]

Too many rules and regulations for my liking !---and the cost !

[Hugo]

CCBC doesn't have such a policy. National Planning Policy dictates that all residential developments must have a 30% social housing element, but developers can elect to make a cash contribution (commuted sum) to the local authority in lieu of providing the social housing element.

If that is the case how is the "commuted sum"  calculated and how can anyone find out how much this amount is?

[DaveR]

If that is the case how is the "commuted sum"  calculated and how can anyone find out how much this amount is?

There's a formula for calculating, it's all in the Planning Application.

Conwy County Borough Council, Planning Committee 08/02/12
The priority for the Council is to provide affordable housing on-site, but the scheme for over 60’s
retirement apartments represents an exceptional circumstance, due to the
specialised nature of the accommodation and an off-site contribution is sought via a
commuted sum. Using the Three Dragons Development Appraisal Toolkit (DAT), a
30% contribution towards affordable housing would be unviable against the existing
use site valuation of £950,000. A positive residual value was concluded resulting in
a requirement of an 8% contribution towards affordable housing. A commuted sum
of £191,000 is sought against the existing use valuation when all acceptable
development costs are taken into consideration. A contribution of £191,000 towards
off-site affordable housing and £14,300 towards open space is sought and should
be subject to Section 106 Agreement.

[Yorkie]

Are you currently considering assisted living, Yorkie? 

Want to downsize for about the umpteeth time!  An apartment is an option.  Just lock up and jump on the Cruise Ship.