Colwyn Bay man gazumped by Conwy Council

Oct 29 2009 by Richard Evans, North Wales Weekly News

A LLANGERNYW man claims he was gazumped by the council for twice the price of a home for his disabled son before Conwy then offered him cash to keep quiet.

Arthur Jones, 61, of Wennall Farm says he made a £60,000 offer for 10 Douglas Road in Colwyn Bay on behalf of son, Austin, 27, who suffers from muscular dystrophy.

Arthur, who runs the Bay’s East End Cycles, is furious after stumping up nearly a grand on legal fees only for searches made on the property to come back from Conwy County Council clear.

Last week the Weekly News announced the council had plans in motion to purchase a mystery property on Douglas Road.

But after signing on the dotted-line for the home, Arthur says he was then informed by the estate agent Conwy County Council had come in with an offer of £120,000 - twice what he had agreed to pay for the home. He then claims to have been informed Conwy later reduced the offer to £70,000.

Arthur now says he is furious with the council for doubling the offer made by Conwy and potentially wasting tax payers money with offers well in excess of the market value.

The council then sent an email offering Arthur £1,000 for his legal fees but only on the condition he pulled out of bidding, that Conwy exchanged contracts for the property and that he kept his ordeal secret.

“I wanted to get my son on the housing ladder, the whole thing stinks,” said Arthur.

“I had signed when the estate agent told me I’d been gazumped by 100% by Conwy. I got straight onto the council, what are they doing with tax payers’ money offering twice the price? If you are interested you go in with a bid like everybody else at the value.

“Why did the searches come back clear if the council have got plans for the building – I would have never of signed. They then sent me a letter wanting me to back off, offering me £1,000 but only if they exchanged contracts, but there is no guarantee that will happen.”

The claims only fuel fires that Conwy is looking to extend Douglas Road car park, possibly by demolishing the three bedroom home.

Last week Conwy’s own website leaked commercially sensitive negotiations that it was looking to purchase a mystery property on Douglas Road as well as the derelict Market Hall on Princes Drive.

Town councillor John Oddy then controversially claimed to have seen exempt papers outlining plans for Conwy County Council to establish offices at the old Market Hall, and to develop Ivy Street car park for council employees’ parking. Cllr Oddy claimed Douglas Road car park would be extended.

However a spokeswoman for Conwy County Council refused to deny the accusations: “We are not able to comment on individual properties,” she said.

richard.evans