Caernarfon Town Council

Bangor councillors refuse plans for former Bulkely Arms

Jun 22 2011 by Daniel Bissett, Bangor and Anglesey Mail

COUNCILLORS in Bangor are becoming increasingly concerned over the amount of applications for houses of multiple occupation (HMO) in the city.

Numerous planning applications have been submitted in the last few years which have led to student houses being built and renovated, despite city councillors stating their objections to Gwynedd Council and saying the HMOs are effectively “modern day slums”.

Among the reasons for the councillors’ concerns include lack of parking spaces and basic amenities, and the sense that people are being “crammed” into confined spaces.

At a meeting of the city council’s planning and amenities committee last week, town clerk Gwyn Hughes told councillors of plans to turn the former Bulkeley Arms public house on Caernarfon Road into another HMO.

A previous application for the building has been submitted for a single dwelling, but has now been resubmitted by Mr T Zubuida.

“The applicants now want to change the Bulkeley Arms into a HMO and we were anxious for it to remain as one dwelling” said Mr Hughes.

“I suggest we object on grounds of over-development, lack of parking and amenities as I think it could problems in the area.”

Cllr John Wynn Jones, who represents the Hendre ward on both city and county, said he was “quite satisfied” with the plans despite other councillors objections.

“I think if it’s to be changed to three flats, I don’t see what else we can do” he said.

“I’m quite satisfied (with the plans) myself as the building isn’t suitable for a single dwelling and it was supposed to be three flats from the start.”

Cllr Derek Hainge, chairman of the committee, said: “A HMO is not three flats and what we’ve been asked to comment on is a HMO.

“If they submit a plan for flats, we will have a look at that.

“If we change now, we will be accused of all sorts and the County Surveyors Society say there needs to be one parking space per bedroom in the plans.”

Cllr Hainge added: “The application is for a HMO, so we can only comment on this.

“Do we wish this to go through or not?”

Cllr Dorothy Bulled proposed to reject the application, which was seconded by Cllr Carol Morris.

You cannot be serious Town Council!!!! - Caernarfon Online ...

"I constantly hear bad news about Caernarfon. "I run a five star country house and I have to admit to being fed up of the negative comments from guests. "It would be lovely for guests to come back saying how lovely Caernarfon is and how much they enjoyed looking round it, or how safe they felt when they went out at night for a meal. "I wonder what actions you are taking to counteract some of these issues and how you plan to help tourism thrive in the coming 12 months in these difficult financial times." We have a death trap of a Maes, we have empty buildings opposite our largest hotel, we have more and more businesses complaining of losing business, we have needles and drug taking in all corners, we have mass unemployment, we have one way systems driving people away, we are to have another by pass which will kill the town, we nearly had a jail here for crying out loud! Further to this excellent blog post (I'm with you on this one) You may wish to read a certain Welsh blog (I won't put the link here but you know which one I mean) that suggests that it's the people who stay at the hotel's problem not Caernarfon's. The original letter by Andy Banner Price is on there, obviously leaked to the website by a Plaid councillor.