COUNCILLORS threw out a planning application to convert a former bed and breakfast in Llandudno into a council-run bedsit for homeless people.

The application to convert The Mayfair at 11 Deganwy Avenue into a house-of-multiple occupation (HMO) was rejected after councillors feared it could lead to the decline of the town’s tourist industry.

Earlier this week, it was reported how the council had received dozens of letters from hoteliers complaining about anti-social behaviour, drug use, and constant police visits bringing down the area.

The application submitted by applicant Manhattan Rentals was recommended for approval to grant temporary permission for a change before councillors voted against the proposals.

The decision follows Conwy coming under fire for allowing the HMO to continue, despite the licence expiring on July 5.

The Mayfair has been used as temporary accommodation under emergency legislation, passed during the COVID pandemic.

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The application was for a two-year extension to run as an HMO.

Berin Jones is the chairman of Llandudno Hospitality Association and spoke at the meeting against the proposals, arguing Deganwy Avenue was protected as part of the holiday accommodation zone.

“Housing cannot have it both ways by recommending approval,” he said.

“Llandudno is a thriving tourist destination with an array of accommodation for visitors, and the guesthouses that operate on Deganwy Avenue are well run and profitable. Do not take this for granted.

“If we take away service accommodation within the town, two things will happen: visitors won’t find anywhere to stay and will remain as just day trippers, which bring less income to the county, or they will go self-catering increasing the demand for accommodation, which could be lived in by local residents, exacerbating the local housing crisis even more.

“We recognise the housing crisis has been caused by the changes in landlord/tenant legislation, and that has led to the authority losing the accommodation to house people, but as an authority, you have specific policies in place to protect the fragile economy of the county that is worth £900m and 11,000 jobs.”

He added:  “Remember Rhyl and Colwyn Bay. Once holiday property was changed to multiple occupancy for local authority tenants, the whole resort declined, as did the local economy.”

But speaking in favour of the application applicant Richard Lukjaiec listed other properties on the street that he claimed were now residential properties.

He said: “You can see it is a mixed bag along Deganwy Avenue, so residential type accommodation would not be unusual, and B&Bs are particularly useful in their model that they can be easily converted.

“I’ve met some of the people who are in the accommodation, and it is an emotional issue. This property is run by the CCBC, and how it is run is a separate emotional issue. Setting this aside, housing is a problem, particularly for the (those on) lower income. If not here, where?”

But several councillors spoke out against the proposals

Cllr Mandy Hawkins said the B&B went against the council’s own local development plan and was unfit for purpose, adding: “We are stripping people of their human rights and dignity.

“Tourism in Conwy county and Llandudno is worth millions. The application doesn’t support our local businesses; in fact it flies in the face of Destination Conwy. It sends the wrong message to guests staying in properties close by. If the owner can’t run it as a hotel, he should sell it to someone who can.

“The property is not fit for purpose. It is not appropriate. It is making people’s lives a misery. We need to respect and enhance Llandudno. We need to support these vulnerable people in the appropriate way.”

Cllr Jo Nuttall said:  “In our own LDP (local development plan) it says there is a need to protect our tourist sector, particularly in the coastal resorts.”

Cllr Nigel Smith said: “It is very concerning for someone who was born and grew up in Rhyl, and I’ve seen detrimental changes in communities when the hotels were all changed into houses of multiple occupation. It is very interesting to see public protection, which I think might be one of our own departments, have highlighted the issues and the fact that some of the rooms may not even be adequate in size.”

Cllr Mandy Hawkins proposed the application should be refused. Cllr Dave Jones seconded the proposal, and the vote was unanimous.

What hoteliers and locals had to say:

  • In her letter of objection, Tracey Bayliss, who runs the Cedar Lodge bed and breakfast on Deganwy Avenue, wrote: “For the past 12 months, The Mayfair has been used as temporary accommodation under emergency legislation, passed during the COVID pandemic.

“Change to an HMO would make this permanent. There have been numerous negative effects on the immediate neighbours, of which I am one, in the way of disturbances and noise and anti-social behaviour, on which guests have commented.

“There has been loud music at all times of the night and vehicles coming and going. Numerous police visits at all times of day and night have been personally witnessed, and the sound of police sirens is very distressing.”

  • Paul Thompson, whose family had owned their Deganwy B&B for 60 years, claimed his guests were subjected to the fumes of illegal substances from The Mayfair, adding: “Occupants smoke illegal substances and try to hide the fact they are doing so by opening the windows.

“It is easily noticeable from a long way away and certainly not what visitors wish to inhale when sitting and relaxing in the fresh air.”

  • Hotelier Georgina Legg’s guest house is situated directly opposite The Mayfair.

She wrote that one of her guests had witnessed someone being arrested as she was extolling the virtues of Llandudno.

Ms Legg explained: “When we stepped outside there were two police cars outside The Mayfair (a common occurrence), and then to my horror, a female occupant was led out by police in handcuffs!

“My guests were elderly and were mortified to witness this, and they actually stated that they thought Llandudno was a safe place.” She added: I’m appalled that the council is willing to sacrifice small businesses like mine after I have spent over £50,000 to make it into something I’m proud of, even if the council are not.”

  • Scott and Robert-Smith-Andrews also made their feelings clear in their letter to the council. “The visual impact has already had a negative effect on the area… “We don’t want a continued police presence potentially making guests question where they’ve come to and giving a negative view of our beautiful town.”