Planners unanimously agree business units on protected land

Dale Spridgeon Local Democracy Reporter

Council plans to build new business units on “protected” land have been approved for “economic benefit”.

Councillors heard the proposals for two business blocks at Amlwch, Anglesey, made up of ten individual units, would meet “a true need” for such facilities and help boost employment.

At a meeting of the Isle of Anglesey County Council’s planning committee on Wednesday (April 3) members heard the development could create around 33 full-time jobs for the north of the island.

The 0.48 hectare site is south of Mon Garage, east of Mona Street and north of Amlwch Leisure Centre’s playing field.

It was designated as a “protected open space/play area”.

“Gone wild”

Senior planning officer Rhys Jones said it was “unused” and had gone wild with vegetation before being cleared recently.

The design of the proposed development, made up of two blocks, was considered “acceptable” and of “a high quality”.

It would provide 33 parking spaces, six accessible, ten cycle spaces, and there was an allowance to support 14 vehicle charging points.

The scheme constituted a “major development” according to planning policy.

Planners were “open to the prospect of a development on this site,” given its protected/play area status, due to “local demand, economic benefit and the sufficient provision of open space in the surrounding area to meet local need”.

The plans also noted: “Additionally, the land to the north and west of the development was currently allocated as a Safeguarded Employment Site.”

The council was currently constructing business units at the Penrhos industrial estate in Holyhead and Parc Bryn Cefni in Llangefni.

It stated: “There is a constant, growing demand for business premises on Ynys Môn. As of 2022, premises are 94-96% full, and only one or two units are available at any one time.”

Supply was “focused predominantly” on the key towns of Llangefni and Holyhead and units already constructed at Bryn Cefni and Penrhos had been “let, off-plan, in advance of completion and immediately occupied”.

The council owned four units in Amlwch, which were “fully occupied”.

“Therefore, there is a desire to build more units in Amlwch to cater for the local demand and provide the opportunity for much needed local employment,” the proposal said. They would be of a mixed size.

“Providing units in a mix of sizes will provide flexibility to meet the local growing demand, support new local business and potentially improve job prospects to the local population,” the plans said.

Councillor Robin Williams said: “There is a true need for this type of development in the Amlwch area.

“Based on that, and that it’s near the industrial area anyway, I am happy to propose the application.”

It was seconded by Cllr Neville Evans and unanimously agreed in a vote.