Plans approved to demolish vandalised bookstore over asbestos concerns

Richard Evans, local democracy reporter

Plans to demolish a vandalised bookstore at a public library, which is “posing a risk to staff and the public” have been approved.

Conwy County Council applied to its own planning department, seeking permission to demolish the building at the back of the public library on Woodland Road West amid concerns over asbestos.

Whilst Colwyn Bay Library opened as the Coronation Free Library in 1905, a council report indicates the bookstore may date back to 1933.

At a planning committee meeting, councillors were informed the bookstore has suffered from vandalism in recent years.

Risk

A planning report said that the building “poses a risk to staff and the public owing to its asbestos cladding, which is beginning to crumble at the base and break away from the building”.

A health impact assessment concluded that the building’s dilapidated condition and its crude construction type means demolishing is the best option.

Conwy will now “safely demolish” the existing bookstore at the rear staff car park and replace it with a modern sustainable bookstore with carbon reduction features.

The new building will be slightly larger and will include a dedicated collections store.

The plans will also include an electric vehicle charging point for the library’s e-van, following Conservation Area Consent being given.

Cllr Jo Nuttall proposed councillors backed officers’ recommendation to grant permission for the replacement building.

Asbestos

“Reading through the report, there is asbestos there, so it is obviously a safety issue, and it has been broken into, and it leaks,” she said.

“So they’ve mitigated against the look of it.

“It is behind the building, and it can’t be seen, so yeah, I’d like to propose we go with the officers’ recommendation please.”

Head of planning Ceri Thomas said the council hadn’t received any objections to the building being demolished.

Cllr Ifor Lloyd seconded Cllr Nutall’s proposal, and the application was unanimously backed.