Historically important 19th century outbuildings targeted for major regeneration project

A cluster of historically important 19th century outbuildings could see a new lease of life if plans are agreed.

Developers hope the regeneration of the former Tower Hotel yard’s service buildings in Pwllheli which includes stables, coach house and a hayloft, will help boost “a cultural and economic regeneration” in the town centre.

Cyngor Gwynedd is being asked to consider a scheme to convert and restore the derelict rubble-stone walled buildings at Iard Y Gwesty’r Twr, Stryd Y Llan.

It aims to develop the site for a mixed use, including storage, business units and a bunkhouse, as well as carrying out internal and external alterations.

Both the Grade II Listed Gwesty’r Twr – Tower Hotel – and its former service outbuildings have been in community ownership since 2023.

The hotel listing includes the outbuildings or ‘Courtyard Ranges’ to the rear consisting of a stable block on one side and coach house on the other.

Located behind the hotel building, grouped around a square courtyard, the outbuildings were likely to have been built at the same time or shortly after the main hotel which was constructed in 1875, plans say.

It also notes that the local community had already obtained planning and listed building consent on separate planning applications, to extend and fully refurbish the main hotel building.

The outbuildings had long since ceased to serve their original purpose, only partially being used for storage, albeit in a dilapidated state, since the hotel closed in 2019.

Latest application 

The latest application concerns the rubble stone walled outbuildings which plans say are “arranged in a largely symmetrically fashion around a central courtyard to the north of the hotel”.

The plans add: “Two L-shaped wings on either side of a tall central arched entrance at the northern end off Lleiniau Uchaf.

“The buildings are joined together by a continuous pitched slate roof on all three sides.”

The plans note whilst the “significance and value of the main designated and Grade II listed hotel is high, the outbuildings are of a moderate significance within the grouping.

“They are after all meant to be functionally and visually subservient to the grander main hotel building, kept largely out of view to the rear, and architecturally simpler and more rustic in character.

“Despite being in a relatively poor condition due to years of neglect, and having been altered significantly over time, the outbuildings are still an attractive grouping of buildings with historic value and so important to preserve in its town centre location.

“Indeed the character and form of the outbuildings wrapped around a large courtyard is unusual within the town centre in that they echo that of a rural agricultural vernacular.”

It added: “The rough rubble walls, low-rise silhouette and large wooden doors are a much more rustic contrast to the more refined and classically detailed Italianate High Street frontage of the hotel itself.”

It also noted that the proposed repairs to the outbuildings were “necessary” to prevent further damage and decay.

In most cases, it added this would involve using “like-for-like materials to match the existing, thus ensuring that the original character and appearance is retained”.

Subdivision 

The proposal says it will subdivide and change the use of the coach house block into business units along with the end block into bunkhouse style accommodation.

The plans added it would make “a very minimal impact on the character of the heritage asset”.

They added: “The proposed alterations and adaptations are therefore justified because they amount to a sensitive adaptive re-use of this dilapidated and under-used historic building which will give it a new lease of life.

“The proposed development should be seen an important piece of small scale incremental economic and cultural regeneration for the town of Pwllheli and its community.”