Plans to turn former Buckley bar and restaurant into 13 apartments look set for approval

Plans to convert a former bar and restaurant in Buckley into 13 apartments look set to be given the go ahead. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

An application was submitted to Flintshire Council in September to transform the Windmill bar and grill into living accommodation. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The business on Mill Lane has also been used as a day care facility, but proposals to turn it into housing have now received the backing of a senior official at the local authority. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

It comes despite some concerns being raised in the community over parking and access issues. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

In a report due to go before councillors next week, chief planning officer Andrew Farrow said he believed the development would attract less traffic than before. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

He said: “The main issues to consider are highways issues surrounding access and parking provision, and the living conditions of residents and neighbours.
“There are no proposed changes to the existing access. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“This access point currently serves the Windmill in its existing use, as well as providing access to the properties at Millers Court, and the rear of a number of properties on Brunswick Avenue, which are commercial units with flats above. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“The site has a large parking area to the rear of the property which served both the restaurant and later, the care facility. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“It is considered that highways activity for the existing use has the potential to generate significantly greater volumes of traffic that the proposed apartments. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Following highways advice I consider the access and parking provided by the proposal to be adequate for the development proposed.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The plans include 13 parking spaces for residents, as well as three visitor spaces, which Mr Farrow said was below the maximum amount set out in planning guidelines. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

However, he added the standards should be relaxed in light of the building being located in the town centre with public transport links nearby. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The proposals have been recommended for approval subject to the developer paying £733 per apartment to improve Higher Common play area in Buckley. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The scheme will be considered by members of the council’s planning committee at a meeting on Wednesday . ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Liam Randall – Local Democracy Reporter (more here). ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

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