PROPOSALS to turn a former Gwynedd primary school into holiday accommodation have been rejected by Eryri planners.
Eryri National Park Authority had received an application to convert the former Ganllwyd school building.
The school building on the A470 was closed due to falling numbers back in 2017, with pupils relocated to the new Ysgol Bro Idris super-school in nearby Dolgellau.
The application, lodged by Richard Turvey, has said: “Due to the location and nature of the area there is a strong demand for visitor accommodation, particularly large properties which can accommodate higher numbers of visitors for larger families and group gatherings.
“The proposed use is the only viable use for the building – attracting groups to the area has economic benefits in ensuring the sustainability and viability of local centres such as Coed y Brenin, Dolgellau Town Centre, Yr Ysgwrn and many other local attractions, as well as local suppliers and companies.”
The applicant had also felt “the development will bring economic activity to a building which currently stands empty” and “would bring in income to the area and increase local spending”.
Plans stated: “Its conversion would also reduce the pressure on other dwellings currently being used as holiday accommodation/Airbnb.”
It was also felt the cost of demolition of the old building and a new build for housing would be “unviable” and that it would be “regrettable to lose a historical building like this in the heart of the village”.
The application had prompted some local comments. Ganllwyd’s community council had stated that its stance had “not changed” and that it believed that such a development could be a blow to the area’s “character, culture and Welsh language”.
A planning report, due to come before Eryri National Park planners on Wednesday, January 21, documents the park’s reasons for its decision to refuse, made in November.
It stated the holiday let accommodation was in conflict with “core principles” of the Eryri Local Development Plan 2016-2031, of providing housing opportunities to meet the needs of the local community.
It also noted: “The proposal does not relate to small scale open market and affordable housing for local needs, does not provide employment development to support the rural economy and does not improve existing or provide new community facilities to serve local residents.”
It also noted conflicts with policy over access details, said there was “insufficient information over foul drainage to enable the authority to rule out any adverse impact on the integrity of the nearby Special Area of Conservation” and said “no green Infrastructure Statement had been included”.
