PLANS for a new Greggs store on Anglesey have been approved despite fears it will have a “negative impact” on a town centre.
Anglesey Council’s planning committee approved plans for the new store at Herron Services on Glanhwfa Road in Llangefni during a meeting on Wednesday, July 7.
The application was to change the use of a unit to allow for the sale of hot food.
The plans were initially rejected by the committee during a meeting on June 4, and deferred to “allow officers to report further on the matter”.
During Wednesday’s meeting, council planning manager Rhys Jones said there was no clear planning or policy justification to restrict the unit’s use to non-food retail.
He warned the council faced “serious risk” in an appeal, should the matter be refused.
He shared a statement from Greggs listing its extensive charitable activities and community initiatives, including providing food for schools.
However, he noted that Greggs would appeal with full costs if rejected.
Cllr Geraint Bebb said he “respected” the officer’s words but felt it was “sounding like a great advert for Greggs”.
At the previous meeting the officer had felt the proposal was acceptable, not contrary to planning policies, felt there was sufficient parking and said no objections had been made.
But councillors had cited comments on social media and within the town council concerning an “over provision” of fast food outlets in Llangefni.
Cllr Bebb had also raised concerns over increasing traffic, noise and smells, the impact on the town, and litter, whilst Cllr Robin Williams had noted an increase in applications asking for “variation of conditions, with regard to these types of businesses”.
After the plan was refused in June, the matter was automatically deferred to the July meeting for a further discussion.
At this month’s meeting, Cllr Bebb said the proposal “will pull people out of the town, instead of parking in the town centre, they will park outside Greggs, and won’t even bother coming into the town itself”.
“Since Subway opened, there’s more rubbish on Glanhwfa Road, some of it comes into my garden, though I have never bought anything there,” he said.
He queried policy and compliance with land usage, and felt it would increase traffic, parking and delays, and could have “a negative impact” on amenities, character of shops, as well as increasing rubbish and smells.
“I still think we should reject it, it will have a negative impact on the town. The last thing we want is to see Llangefni going the same way as Bangor high street,” he said.
The proposal to refuse the plan was seconded by Cllr Robin Williams who asked: “What is the point of having conditions, if it is that easy to get rid of them?”
The planning development manager warned on planning grounds they needed to be “very careful” to refuse on specific policy details.
Cllr Kenneth P Hughes said he had “much experience” of writing planning appeal reports and there was “no strong planning reason to refuse”. He proposed approval.
Cllr Jackie Lewis felt there was a “different market” for people using the town centre and outside.
She said: “People who would go to Greggs are people getting petrol, picking up things from the other shops there.
“I don’t think people will drive from Llangefni to Greggs just to get a sausage roll.”
Cllr Bob Llewelyn added he was “against” the scheme, adding he felt it would do “harm” to the town’s local cafés.
The vote to approve gained eight votes and refusal, five, so the matter was passed.
