A developer wanting to transform a former Peacocks unit in North Wales says rejection would have "disastrous consequences for Bangor High Street as a whole".
Plans for a £2.2m redevelopment of the former Peacocks store on Bangor High Street are set to be decided by Gwynedd councillors on Monday.
The redevelopment consists of ground floor commercial space which is to be completely refurbished. The developer says a tenant is already lined up to provide co-working space and an enterprise hub for business development.
There would be an extension and conversion of the upper floors to provide 18 one and two bedroom apartments. In addition a new block of apartments would be built on the derelict land to the rear, consisting of 6 two bedroom apartments.
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The project has been backed with £175,000 of funding from Gwynedd Council’s Economic Development Team via the Property Renovation and Improvement Scheme (PRIS). But planning officers recommend refusal of the project.
They said there was "a lack of evidence that there is a real need in Bangor for one and two-bedroom units in addition to the 177 similar units/flats that are already within the land bank for the city".
Planners added: "The proposal is considered to be contrary to local and national policies and although the applicant has stated that the development of the site would respond to the demand for one and two-bedroom flats in a central location that is sustainable and accessible and that the proposal would be a catalyst that would help to promote and improve the vitality and viability of this part of the city as material considerations that would outweigh any policy concerns/conflicts, the LPA does not agree with this view."
The developer said refusal of the scheme would set a precedent which could have "disastrous consequences for Bangor High Street as a whole".
Dave Horrocks, MD of Pollecoff House Ltd, who are proposing the project, said: “This is a scheme to provide high quality housing in the city centre, which I believe is sorely needed, particularly in the young professionals sector as they make the transition from living at home/university to buying their first house. This is not student accommodation, that market is already well supplied by the city.
“It’s a sizeable regeneration scheme for a significantly distressed area of Bangor High Street, it could prove a catalyst for further regeneration of the neighbouring buildings which are an absolute eyesore. The Economic Development Team have been great and supportive of the project so far, as they can see the need for regeneration of the area and the potential this project has.
“I can appreciate the Planning Authority have policies to guide them, but this is a city centre crying out for investment, so I am baffled by the proposal for refusal of the scheme on the grounds of lack of need for one and two bedroom units. From our research with local agents the evidence is clear that demand is hugely outstripping supply, forcing prices up and people to move away from the city.
“Four years ago we completed the redevelopment of 205 High Street next to the Cathedral which now houses Wood Fired Shack. Being allowed to create apartments in that project enabled us to invest heavily in the building, while still charging an affordable rent to help a new business grow, giving something the people of Bangor didn’t have before. If there were no apartments above then we wouldn’t have even considered taking on that building, and if this is going to be the way the Planning Authority interpret their guidance going forwards then I have very little hope for the future of the High Street unfortunately."
He added: "If the scheme at the former Peacocks site is refused on the grounds that there are enough one and two bedroom units in the city already, a precedent will be set for all buildings on Bangor High Street, and if the option for residential accommodation in the now empty floors above is taken away, property owners will have no incentive whatsoever to improve Bangor High Street."
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