Go-ahead for 36 flats on former Queensferry Hotel site
Plans to demolish the vacant Queensferry Hotel in Garden City and build a complex of 36 apartments in its place have been approved.
Flintshire County Council’s Planning Committee supported the plans at a meeting this week despite reservations about the amount of housing that is already being developed in the Garden City and Sealand area.
Matthew Parry-Davies, Service Manager for Development said the proposal for a complex of 12 three-storey apartment buildings with 56 parking spaces was considered a positive one for the area.
“This site has been empty and falling into dereliction for a number of years now,” he told the committee.
“This is an opportunity to improve the visual appearance of this part of Garden City and it is a sustainable development.”
Cllr Chris Bithell questioned the ‘need’ for affordable housing cited in the report.
According to the application 20% of the development – approximately seven apartments – would be allocated as affordable.
“That need for affordable homes is not substantiated in the report,” he said. “Northern Gateway (the housing development adjacent to Sealand) is the largest area allocated for housing development within the Local Development Plan (LDP) so that area’s taken a huge development in terms of meeting the needs of the LDP.
“There are certain phases of the Northern Gateway where the whole of that allocation is for affordable housing. It’s previously been indicated to us that provision there is sufficient to meet local affordable housing needs.”
Cllr Bithell also questioned the Section 106 conditions – which will see developer Peacock Building Services Ltd pay £55,407 to Hawarden High School to support additional capacity and £10,995 – equivalent to £733 for each two-bedroom apartment – for public open space provision in Sealand.
“I was surprised by the Section 106 conditions,” said Cllr Bithell. “Usually one or two bedroom units such as this are not specifically catering for families with children – in that sense is there a need for an education contribution or a play area contribution under Section 106? I have certain reservations about the application in that sense.”
The application was also subject to an objection from local member Cllr Christine Jones. In a written submission she expressed concerns about the impact on local amenities, the safety of the road junction and the scale of the development.
Senior Planning Officer Claire Morter said those concerns had been considered.
“Regarding amenities the Northern Gateway across the road is providing some infrastructure, for example Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is committed to providing walk-in centres that would serve the whole community, not just the Northern Gateway,” she said.
“There is a need for smaller housing units in the area however as there are no apartments on the Northern Gateway site.
“Regarding the Section 106 contributions they are only worked out on the two-bedroom properties that may cater for a family.”
Despite those concerns councillors supported the plans and granted approval for the development.
By Alec Doyle – Local Democracy Reporter
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