Fears Llandudno hotel site will become dumping ground

Nov 11 2010 by Rayyan Parry, North Wales Weekly News

Penmorfa Hotel site

RESIDENTS in Llandudno have told of their concerns that a former hotel site could be turned into a dumping ground for rubble.

It is claimed Anwyl construction have started dumping rubble from another constructions site on the old Penmorfa Hotel site. Although the Environment agency say it is ‘fairly low risk’, there are concerns about more material being dumped there.

At a meeting called by the Friends of the West Shore group, local residents expressed their concerns that the site would become more of an eyesore.

Secretary of the group, Trish Goddard said: “People had heard that Anwyl were using this site to move rubbish from another site in Llandudno,” she said.

“People were concerned that it would become a dumping ground. We are to write to Conwy Council, that we understand that this is happening and we don’t want it becoming a dumping ground for rubbish.”

A spokesperson from the Environment Agency said: "We have investigated these reports as we have to make sure that any movement of waste is being done legally and not in a way that will damage the environment.

"The work they are doing is fairly low risk and only a temporary measure. They have already applied for an exemption permit to cover this. However, we did strongly advise them that in future they should get the exemption in place before doing any work.”

The old Penmorfa hotel was pulled down two years ago despite protests from local residents who wanted to maintain the site’s historical links to Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.

The land is now set to be developed into 29 apartment blocks.

But, councillors and conservation groups are angry that the site is still undeveloped.

John Lawson-Reay of the Llandudno Seaside Buildings Preservation Trust said: “It’s quite wrong and diabolical that it’s being used a rubbish site. It’s in a conservation area. It shouldn’t be allowed. The local residents haven’t been consulted.”

Nick Jones, Planning and Environmental Enforcement Manager said: “We have received complaints in relation to planning enforcement and environmental waste, which we have investigated.

“At the present we not aware of anything improper happening, however we have informed Environment Agency Wales to ensure that the material that is being brought onto the site is exempt from requiring a licence.

“We will remain in contact with Environment Agency Wales and will continue to monitor the site.”

Anwyl refused to comment on the issue.