Llandudno Pier Pavilion flats plan decision deferred

A decision on controversial plans to build an apartment block and restaurant at Llandudno's old pavilion pier site has been deferred.

Conwy council's planning committee called for further discussion on proposals for 49 apartments and an underground car park.

The owner of Llandudno Pier has said the future of the attraction will be at risk if the plans go ahead.

Developers said they would build something "Llandudno can be proud of".

The original pavilion pier theatre was destroyed by fire in 1994 and the site has been derelict ever since.

• Concern over pier plan

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However, Adam Williams, managing director of Tir Prince Leisure Group which owns Llandudno Pier said the "mood in the town was squarely against the pavilion plans".

He said urgent repairs would not go ahead on the 140-year-old pier while current plans to develop the site were on hold.

There are concerns tourism could be damaged by the development and the potential closure of the pier.

Councillor Louise Emery, cabinet secretary for the economy at Conwy council said: "This is the most strategic site in Llandudno for tourism immunity use, it is not a site for a block of flats.

"Llandudno continues to do very well with this hole in the ground. We need to wait for the right development to come along. If we have to wait another 10-15 years, so be it."

The council's planning officer had considered the development "to be a high quality of design" and recommended the plans for approval.

But councillors said they wanted talks to be held with the Design Commission for Wales and other bodies to establish whether the design could be made more acceptable and of higher quality.