Campaign builds against Betws-y-Coed tourism hub

Apr 21 2011 by Samantha Castle, North Wales Weekly News

Betws-y-Coed campaigners

A WAR of words has broken out between two groups vying for control of a disused changing room building in Betws-y-Coed.

Following a last-minute decision to defer plans to turn the dilapidated building at Car Llan into a commercial Tourist Activity Hub, submitted by local businessman Sean Taylor, officers at Snowdonia National Park Authority (SNPA) agreed to hold back on any decision for two months.

The community council has been granted this time to build up a business case on behalf of the local angling club, who want to take over the changing rooms.

However director of Tree Top Adventure, Sean Taylor said he is surprised at the community council’s stance. He said: “The changing rooms have been derelict for over six years with no apparent interest up until now, it seems that the community council have been high-jacked by the angling club.

“The decision to defer is academic as the football club has said they will not sell to the community council. I have always stated that local sports clubs will still be able to use the facilities which will be fit for use and maintained to a good standard should TTAdventure get the sub-lease.”

He added that failure was not an option. “I haven't considered not being successful as I believe TTAdventure is the only financially viable option, which will also bring added employment to the area and secondary spending to local businesses.”

Betws-y-Coed community council agreed at their recent monthly meeting to put in a counter-proposal to regain control of the building and hand it over to the Angling Club. SNPA’s Peter Trumper said: “Members of the authority were advised that Betws-y-Coed community council had requested that the matter of the disposal or assignment of the property at Cae Llan be deferred. Members agreed to the request.

“The matter will be considered again by the authority at their next meeting on June 15.”

The idea of using the building as a Tourist Activity Hub has attracted local objection. Resident Bill Billings said: “The football changing rooms are central to the development of sports in Betws-y-Coed. If the community can take them over it can be used for what it was intended and also to develop other sporting uses.”

Gavin Bailey 38, of Parc Trawsafon added: “The concept of the community council adopting the building for local sport use is an excellent idea. I believe this solution reflects the desire of the majority of Betws-y-Coed residents.

“I welcome and understand the need for new commercial ventures in the village however, with alternative premises readily available, there is no need for the changing rooms building to fall into commercial hands. As it stands, this important location is one of the only non-commercial areas of Betws-y-Coed.”

Angling Club member Tony Godbert added: “The outcome of the meeting was very close, but we are lucky and what we need to do now is vitally important. Everybody who has been active so far in our fight to protect Cae Llan and the changing rooms needs to make one last huge effort over the next few weeks, and our community council help secure this building.”

Community Council chairman Jim Boughton said the council members were holding a separate meeting this week to discuss the matter further and work out their next steps.