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Developers win planning appeal to turn Grade II listed chapel into holiday homes

23 Aug 2021 4 minute read
Isle of Anglesey County Council officers had originally rejected the application at the Grade II listed Capel Bryn Du, Ty Croes near Rhosneigr. Planning documents.

Gareth Williams, local democracy reporter

Developers, refused planning permission by a council to convert a Grade II listed former chapel into holiday homes, have won their appeal.

Isle of Anglesey County Council officers rejected an application to turn Capel Bryn Du, Ty Croes near Rhosneigr, into three holiday lets.

The council cited concerns that its location in a residential area would create an “unacceptable” noise impact and cause “general disturbance.”

But the Planning Inspectorate has ruled in favour of the developers, which means the council will have to pay yet to be agreed costs.

Applicants Anthony and Rachael King, who were represented by ERW Consulting, wanted to see the 1901 Calvinist Methodist chapel become a five bedroom holiday unit across two levels, the vestry and schoolhouse becoming a separate two storey four bedroom unit, and another two bedroom holiday unit at the associated outhouse.

But planners judged their proposals to be an “isolated and unsustainable development,” with officers deciding to refuse the plans without going to the planning committee.

An independent inspection was launched, however, after an appeal was lodged with the Planning Inspectorate.

‘Final’ 

Declan K Beggan, who made the final decision, said: “The appeal property’s former use as a chapel would have generated a material degree of traffic and associated comings/goings that would have varied over time but most likely have been concentrated into the weekends.

“I appreciate there is likely to be an increase over the timespan of the whole week in terms of comings and goings associated with the proposed development as opposed to the site’s historical use.

“However, due to the proposal’s scale, I do not consider any potential increase would be significant in terms of impact on the adjacent residential amenity of nearby properties via noise, general disturbance, or for any other reason, bearing in mind other nearby properties are likely to already generate a noticeable degree of similar such activities throughout the course of the day.”

The local community council offered no objection during the appeal process, with Mr Beggan finding the proposed development to be structurally capable of the proposed works without major re-building works.

“Whilst the proposal is located in a rural area, it is not unduly isolated due to its accessibility via a range of transport options, and accessibility of services in the local and wider area,” he added.

“After taking account of all the evidence before me, I conclude that the appeal should be allowed subject to conditions.”

Conditions attached to the appeal include that work should start within five years and the holiday units may not be occupied as a person’s sole, or main place of residence.

‘Disappointed’ 

Responding to the Planning Inspectorate’s decision, an Anglesey Council spokesperson said: “Whilst disappointed that the Planning Inspectorate did not agree with the council’s decision to refuse the application, we accept that the inspector may have used his professional judgement and reached a different conclusion.

“Officials will now reflect on what was noted in the decision in order to consider if there are lessons to be learnt.”

According to the applicants’ original planning documents, they would be aiming for the “higher end market” with holiday units capable of accommodating up to ten people said to be rare despite growing demand.

It went on to say: “The proposal would be a much needed facility on Anglesey and also one which will employ and purchase services and goods locally.

“Any development at Capel Mawr would benefit the local economy from catering and the hospitality industry to taxis and local attractions and bring additional tourism revenue into the county.

“Construction will provide employment for the local construction industry !including buildersʻ merchants and suppliers. When complete the building will bring revenue to the local authority and further economic benefits to local businesses and shops.”


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Cath
Cath
3 years ago

Democracy over-ruled by a bureaucrat in the pay of the developers…yet again. As much I despise Yes Cymru (come across too many people using dog whistles and being Transphobic in that group. They are gross) ..We need independence in Cymru because as things are going we are being set up to become nothing but a play area for rich Saesneg….One summer of not being able to vomit on Spain and throw themselves and their s**g children down the Alps and we have Yr Wyddfa strewn with trash, empty “crates” of beer and abandoned barbecues left on beaches, local people not… Read more »

Mathew Rees
Mathew Rees
3 years ago
Reply to  Cath

You sound delightful

Ian Wrecsam
Ian Wrecsam
3 years ago
Reply to  Mathew Rees

“Cath” is fresh from slurring the Prophet Mohammed when the news that some Welsh councils would have one or two Afghan refugees.

Which given that she is easily identifiable on other forms of social media might not be sensible thing to do.

The comments reflect nothing I have seen in the real world and nothing I have not seen Welsh people and other nationalities do.

The MacDonalds in Bala review was clearly fabricated to wind up the posters on here.

Mathew Rees
Mathew Rees
3 years ago
Reply to  Ian Wrecsam

The “prophet” Muhammed has every right to be slurred. If that is what she did, then I agree with her.

No religion should be immune from criticism. Would you have been just as disgusted had she slurred Jesus Christ?

What’s sauce for the goose…

Mandi A
Mandi A
3 years ago
Reply to  Mathew Rees

Aren’t you in China? You really should watch what you say. This site is becoming a disgusting stewpot of hate speech, racism and xenophobia, none of these things being what Wales has dreamed for itself over several generations.

Richard
Richard
3 years ago
Reply to  Mathew Rees

You, by the sound of it, are totally clueless about Muhammad and this type of comment helps no one!!

Dim problem
Dim problem
3 years ago
Reply to  Cath

Yr Wyddfa gets messy every year, and is as much caused by Welsh tourists as it is “rich Saesneg”. Try going up Ben Lomond – it’s not English tourists leaving empty cans of Tennents up there.

Bincs
Bincs
3 years ago
Reply to  Dim problem

I have been up Y Wyddfa many times and believe me the vast majority of people up there are English.

Ieuan Evans
Ieuan Evans
3 years ago
Reply to  Cath

Totally agree with you Cath, except that I am a keen supporter of Yes Cymru. Otherwise I think your points are valid and justified

Richard
Richard
3 years ago
Reply to  Cath

Totally agree!

Richard
Richard
3 years ago
Reply to  Cath

Right on !

Llewelyn
Llewelyn
3 years ago

Lot of sensible comments being deleted here. No nonsense. Just opinions and nation cymru deletes them.

No doubt those in the South of Wales are pro censorship of minority rights – e.g us Gogs!

Mandi A
Mandi A
3 years ago

The Planning Inspectorate is in Cardiff, so we are not helping ourselves.. I know this place well. It is situated on a very steep narrow bit of road. Same planning inspector has turned down similar appeals so something fishy about this Business for builders and local shops – the local builders are already flat out working on second homes. Building supplies are becoming hard to get. One of our two local shops has just been sold and the purchaser wants to turn it into another cafe. Due to the numbers of holidaymakers and the shortage of drivers, we have been… Read more »

Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
3 years ago

These Chapels were often community funded in their construction and should remain bound to the community when needed. It is obvious that they are required now for affordable rented housing and steps taken to ensure that, should be taken in the Senedd. To compare a Chapel congregation with a party house ‘holiday atmosphere’ after midnight is a bit rich! The coastal towns have, unlike so many of the beautiful old art deco cinemas of Gwynedd now gone, a plethora of Chapels still standing thanks to the antique, ethnic and china beachware sellers. Pity about the cinemas, Barmouth’s long gone Edwardian… Read more »

Concerned
Concerned
3 years ago
Reply to  Mab Meirion

Give it a generation or two and they’ll be converting any remaining disused churches and chapels into mosques, not housing developments.

AnthonyA Coslett
AnthonyA Coslett
3 years ago

The appellants seem to believe that they are doing the local area a favour by bringing in ‘upper end’ visitors to this part of Ynys Mon regardless of the long standing evidence of impoverishment of the local community in favour of wealthy incomers whose arrival as tourists or residents further threatens the fragile state of the ancient Welsh culture and tongue which, up until recently, dominated the island and her communities. Rather than increase the income of any given area, schemes like this reduce it as the consistent buying up of properties for this sort of use depopulated villages many… Read more »

Richard
Richard
3 years ago

It’s the same b******s since the ’60’s! – selling Wales out to the 2nd-homers and driving the local community to the margins. Actually, it’s been going on since Glyndwr was betrayed and before that the Saxon invasion. Wales needs its Independence from Westminster and self- rule /deternination.

AnthonyA Coslett
AnthonyA Coslett
3 years ago

Folks, could we keep the racist and other irrelevant comments out of this discussion? Our opinions on any religion, or even on YESCymru, are of no relevance and lead to side line discussions which, going by the various comments already on display, win no friends for the cause of Welsh independence. Hijacking this important conversation in order to let off steam about personal gripes is hardly edifying when disrespecting others with half informed comment.

Mandi A
Mandi A
3 years ago

Keep saying it, AA, thanks

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