A FORMER building society headquarters looks set to be converted into flats to meet housing needs.
Cyngor Gwynedd has received an application to convert the former Halifax building society building into 13 flats on High Street.
The full application concerns the proposed development for a change of use of the existing property to form 13 self-contained residential flats (C3 use – dwelling house) along the lower ground floor, ground floor, first floor, second and third floors.
Three of the flats would be considered “affordable”.
The plan also attempts to retain an element of commercial floor area on the ground floor to submit to retail purposes (A1 shops).
The five-floored, mid-terrace property closed back in April, 2023.
The property was later listed with agents Lambert Smith Hampton as “redevelopment potential,” although it was noted to be in “poor condition” when sold.
The latest proposal does not include any external works. All the residential flats will be one bedroom units and dispersed across every floor.
All the flats have been designed to “fit within the existing floor plan as much as possible and all units will be fitted with the necessary facilities, a bathroom, a bedroom area and a combined kitchen and living space” plans say.
The development will also include a refuse storage and bicycle storage on the lower ground floor.
According to the council’s Strategic Housing Unit some 32% of those on Cyngor Gwynedd’s housing register are looking for one-bedroom properties, the application says.
The figure of 8% of those on the Tai Teg register are looking for this type of property it adds.
“The proposal will meet the recognised need and a contribution of 20% will be expected towards affordable housing” it adds.
Concerns over the development had been raised by the public protection service that the impact of noise could be harmful for the residents of the flats.
“It was recommended that a planning condition be imposed to ensure appropriate insulation between the different units.
There is no land within the site to provide any type of car park and there is only access on foot to the property.
The planning documents concluded that the proposed use “was acceptable” and will not impair the area’s character and will not cause unacceptable harm to amenities”
The recommendation is for the council’s planning committee to approve the scheme. when it next meets on Monday, July 14.
The application notes: “The intention of the proposal is to help meet the demand for such accommodation which is lacking in Bangor.
“The development would enable young professionals to stay in the community whilst also being close to their place of work”.
It also stated:”The development would retain an element of the ground floor area for retail purposes, which would contribute to employment opportunities in the area.”
