A DEVELOPER which has announced plans to build a pub and hotel on the outskirts of Rhyl has been urged to look closer at available sites in the town centre.
Vale of Clwyd MP Chris Ruane has held talks with Braidwater Ltd, which recently announced plans to develop a pub and hotel and warehouses on the showfield site on the outskirts of the town.
This proposal has met with opposition from residents and local politicians who believe the development would be better placed elsewhere in the town.
A meeting was held last week between the developers and Mr Ruane, Ann Jones AM and local councillors Jeanette Chamberlain-Jones and Brian Blakeley to highlight the concerns of residents.
Mr Ruane said: “Obviously it’s fantastic news that a company is looking to invest in Rhyl and it shows the town is certainly moving in the right direction.
“However, I stand by my initial reaction which is that it is the right development but the wrong location and I believe it would be far more beneficial for everyone if it was built within the town centre.
“There are some brownfield sites still available on the prom and this would encourage any guests staying at the hotel to visit the town centre, providing an economic boost for local businesses and I did try to get this over to the developer.
“I have circulated a survey in the residential area opposite the proposed site and the response was overwhelmingly against the plans as most people would like to see the fields remain as a green space, something which is distinctly lacking in Rhyl.
“As this proposal shows Rhyl is on the up but I believe that we need to ensure this improvement is managed properly.”
Denbighshire County Councillor for Rhyl South East Brian Blakeley had learned from Rhyl South member Jeanette Chamberlain Jones the level of feeling against the plans from locals - largely elderly - was strongly against the development.
“They do not want a development on this site,” he said.
Cllr Blakeley said the piece of land was identified as non-development in Denbighshire’s Local Development Plan but this hadn’t stopped it being considered down the years as home to a new hospital or police station.
Despite hosting weekly car boot sales the land was still viewed by residents as “the green barrier” between Rhyl and Rhuddlan.
Cllr Blakeley said: “They were against the car boot sale which is part of the year while this hotel and restaurant will be full-time.
“This will almost make Rhyl and Rhuddlan one big town.
“There are lots of other places this development could go - not overlooking the residential area of elderly people’s bungalows.
“We need development in Rhyl Town Centre itself and not another out of town site.”