PLANS to turn a pub in Flintshire into tourist accommodation have been given the go-ahead despite objections over the loss of a community hub.

An application was submitted by Jan Alam in February to convert the Pwll Gwyn Hotel - a Grade II listed building - in Afonwen, near Caerwys, into a single seven-bedroom holiday let.

Flintshire Council's planning committee has given the proposals the green light, which would also see changes to the existing converted stable block to provide six further units.

It comes despite a total of 31 letters being sent to Flintshire Council against the development by residents living in the village near Caerwys.

The concerns raised include the loss of the pub, the premises of which has been derelict for five years, and the lack of facilities to support the accommodation, as well as a potential increase in noise and traffic.

However, the site was on the market to be taken over as pub for over a year - without any interest shown in it.

Cllr Derek Butler said: "It has a history of providing accommodation when it was a public house and if that is the way to maintain the efficacy of the listed status then I approve the proposal.

"There are arguments that there are are similar types of accommodation in the area, but I'm afraid the Covid-19 pandemic has overtaken them - with staycation being similarly being the way of the future.

"And if that benefits the local economy by people coming to stay in our area I fully support the proposal."

Cllr Chris Bithell added: "It's a lovely building, but a listed building like that needs a usage so that money can be spent to repair and maintain it.

"The building is already starting to show signs of deterioration so we need to find a use for it if it is to be properly maintained.

"It'll provide opportunity for local employment; they will need cleaners, gardeners and other staff members. And people coming to stay will want to use other facilities in the area, such as local pubs and restaurants - so there will be plenty of benefits from this development, and it'll certainly be better than seeing the building decay."

The Leader:

Cllrs Owen Thomas and Patrick Heesom spoke out against the plans.

Cllr Thomas said: "Within a square mile of Afonwen there is well over development of tourism - the area is saturated and I think there'll be problems letting a lot of the rooms.

"The road up to Caerwys from Afonwen is one of the most dangerous in Flintshire - it has no pavement, it's narrow, two vehicles can't pass in areas.

"To me, this application is wrong."

Cllr Heesom described the plans as "ridiculous".

He said: "They've been trying for a long time to make this property viable and there is not a market there.

"The scale of the development is wholly inappropriate for that location. The likes of facility we have there are disappearing fast in the countryside and we need to protect the character and appearance of that kind of location and this will not do it.

"To support this idea is foolish - it's not going to achieve what you think it's going to achieve."

The plans were approved by 15 votes to 4.