PLANS to change a derelict church into apartments are set to be refused.

Conwy County Borough Council's planning committee will meet on Wednesday, September 9 to discuss proposals to transform Elim Church, Woodland Road West, Colwyn Bay, into 19 apartments, including four studio apartments, four one bedroom apartments and 11 two bedroom apartments.

Referred to as Trinity Apartments, the homes would be for private sector sale or rent and arranged over five storeys.

No vehicle parking is proposed which has raised 'serious' concerns.

The applicant is Gothic & Stone Limited.

In a document to be presented to members, planning officers said: "In conclusion the principle of a residential conversion is supported and officers welcome the intention to convert the redundant building for residential purposes, given the previous history as well as the site’s location within the town centre close to amenities and public transport links. However, the absence of any off-street parking is of serious concern as the application proposes 19 new apartments and therefore adequate parking provision should be provided in line with the Authority’s Parking Standards SPG.

"The reliance of the scheme on parking on other car parks in the town centre does not lessen concerns, therefore officers do not support the scheme."

Additional windows and rooflights are proposed within the roof to accommodate apartments in the upper section of the church.

These have also triggered worries.

"There are concerns that the addition of the large rooflights would introduce an incongruous feature into the roof to the detriment of the character of the building and the setting of the neighbouring conservation area," the document added.

The former church has laid vacant for a considerable amount of time and has fallen into significant disrepair. It is currently boarded up and continues to deteriorate.

In the past, plans have been put forward to change the church into a furniture auction house (approved in 2002); for demolition (2003) and to form 12 apartments in 2005.