Agenda item

Application No C25/0428/14/LL Mona, 4 Stryd Fawr, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, LL55 1RN

Meeting of Planning Committee, Monday, 12th January, 2026 1.00 pm (Item 6.)

Change of use form offices to 5 residential flats, including extension at the rear. Air source heat pumps and a new door to the refuse store.

LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Cai Larsen

Link to relevant background documents

Decision:

DECISION: To approve with conditions

1. Five years

2. In accordance with plans

3. Agree details of the air source heat pump units

4. C3 use only

5. Affordable housing condition

6. Biodiversity enhancements

7. Working hours

8. The first three ground-floor windows in the proposed extension must be opaque glass

Biodiversity Note

Natural Resources Wales Letter Note

Minutes:

Change of use of offices to five residential flats, including a rear extension. Installation of an air source heat pump and door to the waste storage area.

a) The Planning Manager highlighted that the application had been deferred at the December 2025 Planning Committee to receive more information and evidence of the need for the units in accordance with the requirements of policy TAI 8. Reference was made to a further statement presented which explained the plan from the applicant, as well as the observations of the Housing Strategic Unit, which confirmed the need for affordable units.

It was explained that the building was substantial, located on the corner of the high street within the development boundary of Caernarfon Town and the World Heritage Site Conservation Area. There was no intention to change the front or side elevation of the building that were prominent from the high street.

It was acknowledged that the applicant intended to use the units as a specific accommodation use to ensure suitable and safe units for people who were currently already living in unsuitable emergency accommodation in Caernarfon; the proposal would have an affordable housing condition, ensuring flexibility to meet the permanent accommodation needs of the area's residents in the future. It was noted that all the units were being offered as affordable units, with their size in accordance with the Welsh Government standards (WDQR / WHQS) for affordable units. Reference was made to the observations of the Housing Strategic Unit which confirmed that the proposal addressed a proven need for one and two-bedroom units for people throughout Gwynedd who wished to live in Caernarfon. Consequently, it was considered that the proposal included justification about the proposal in terms of size, the number and size of units proposed and complied with the requirements of policy TAI 8 in terms of housing mix, as well as the requirements of policy TAI 15 subject to an affordable housing condition to ensure that the proposal provided affordable units in perpetuity. It was confirmed that there was sufficient capacity within the Caernarfon indicative supply for this development currently.

The alteration work would include internal changes and constructing a three-storey extension within the rear garden and therefore, it would not impact the elevation or character of the building, which was prominent to the public, or have a detrimental visual impact on the World Heritage Site or the Conservation Area. The work would include installing ground floor windows and first floor windows for the back bedrooms and it was confirmed that the first-floor windows would be fitted with opaque glass - this could be ensured by imposing a planning condition. It was also noted that a planning condition would be imposed to submit the details and location of the air source heat pump. Consequently, it was considered that the proposal would not have a significant detrimental impact on nearby residents.

In the context of transport and access matters, it was noted that the property was located in the Town centre where there were vehicle parking spaces on the street and within public car parks. In terms of biodiversity matters, reference was made to the improvements proposed and it was reported that the language statement presented noted a neutral to positive impact on the language.

It was considered that the proposal complied with the requirements of local and national policies and the officers recommended approving the application subject to imposing relevant conditions.

b) Taking advantage of the right to speak, the Local Member made the following observations:

· In line with the Committee's wish at the last meeting, he had a constructive discussion with the Head of Housing and Property and thanked her for providing a clear explanation about the rationale behind the application and an outline of the scale of the challenge to respond to homelessness in Gwynedd.

· He greatly sympathised with the situation. He was aware of a significant number of constituents in his ward in vulnerable situations in terms of the security of their tenancies. He acknowledged that the field was difficult, with significant pressure on the service.

· There was a possibility that the flats would be available to rent on social housing terms, if and when the demand for homelessness accommodation came to an end - welcomed this greatly - no objection to the application should the proposal mainly be used for permanent social rent housing

· Ongoing concern about the small number of wards bearing much more of the burden to address the homelessness crisis in the County. These were mainly town centre wards that often faced substantial challenges already as a result of poverty and deprivation

· In terms of planning and community sustainability, it was important to work towards balanced communities where the same area was not overwhelmed or proportioned by a specific type of provision

· Took advantage of the opportunity to draw attention to the current geographical disparity in terms of who and where shouldered the burden, and encouraged the Housing and Property Department moving forward to consider developing a clearer strategy to spread the provision in a fairer and more sustainable way across the County

c) It was proposed and seconded to approve the application

ch) During the ensuing discussion, the following observations were made by Members:

· The need had been proven

· They were grateful for the additional information

· They hoped that the homelessness situation improved in the future

RESOLVED: To approve with conditions

1. Five years.

2. In accordance with plans.