PLANNING MEMBERS GO AGAINST OFFICERS' ADVICE DUE TO HOUSING NEEDS

CONWY councillors have reaffirmed their decision to approve a new affordable housing estate in Llandudno near Ffordd Penrhyn.

- By RICHARD EVANS

At December's planning committee meeting at Conwy County Council’s Coed Pella HQ, councillors voted to back Grwp Cynefin and First Choice Housing Association’s plans to build 29 homes.

The homes will be built on a former multi-use games area once used by the old John Bright school near the Ty Hapus Community Resource Centre, with new vehicular access from Cwm Road. Acting on advice from Natural Resources Wales, planning officers had recommended refusal due to the area’s flood risk.

But at a meeting in November, councillors cited the housing crisis in the county and said the housing association had put in various flooding mitigation measures. Councillors then had to reaffirm their earlier decision at Wednesday's meeting, due to the fact they were going against planning officers’ advice.