RESIDENTS are campaigning against the demolition of a derelict hotel which will make way for new apartments.

Plans submitted to Flintshire Council outline the knocking down of Bryn Awel Hotel off Denbigh Road in Mold.

Wales and West Housing Association wants to replace the building with 23 affordable apartments across two blocks.

The 18-bedroom hotel closed suddenly in 2011 after being a key part of the town’s tourism trade for more than 50 years.

In a planning statement, the housing association said the property is now in a dilapidated state.

It said: “The site has been vacant for a number of years and is a prominent site close to the town centre.

“The site is opposite the Bailey Hill Conservation area and therefore the redevelopment of the site is an excellent regeneration opportunity.”

But residents are furious about the proposals, and have launched a petition in opposition, with health issues even being cited as a concern.

The petition, which will be sent to Flintshire Council, said: “Residents in close proximity to the this proposed development are greatly concerned about this project and have registered their concerns with Wales and West.

“A representative of Wales and West has visited residents but they were unable to answer any questions, their only response was to say ‘It’s better than what’s already there’, unfortunately for adjacent properties it is not.”

One of the major concerns is over an alleged lack of provision for parking.

The petition said: “We have concerns over a lack of parking available at the proposed site, which would result in over spill parking onto Shire View as has previously happened when this site has been occupied by the Bryn Awel Hotel. There will not be enough allocated parking spaces at this site to cater for all residents.

“Wales and West cannot definitively say how many residents at this site will have cars. If there are two people living in a one bedroom apartment then it is completely feasible that both occupiers will own cars.

“This issue will be even worse when these residents have visitors to the property.”

Residents have also cited the lack of measures to tackle the potential presence of radon, a colourless, odourless radioactive gas formed by the radioactive decay of the small amounts of uranium, as being a major concern.

The petition also said: “According to the Structural Engineer’s Report, the site is in a higher probability radon area and full radon measures will be necessary in the construction of new dwelling.

“There has been no mention as to where the locations of the standby sumps and pipe exits are going to be.”

Radon gas creates radioactive dust in the air and can cause damage to the inside of people’s lungs and increases the risk of lung cancer.

Residents are also worried about the size and scale of the proposed apartments.

The petition said: “The site of the Bailey Hill stands in a conservation area is directly across the road. The development will block out the view across the valley of this historic ancient monument.

“There are too many apartments and the project is far too big for this site and out of character for the area where it will be built.”