Appeal hearing after Prestatyn hostel denied planning consent

An application was made regarding 28 Nant Hall Road (“Ty Glyn”), to Denbighshire County Council in July 2025 by Matthew Gordon, of Together Homes NW Ltd.

It started accommodating homeless residents in May 2024, but needed a change of use to be approved to continue doing so – this was refused at a council planning meeting last October.

But an appeal was lodged against this decision, and a Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) hearing took place on Thursday (July 9).

Laura Williams, director of Together Homes NW, told the hearing that there is “no alternative temporary emergency accommodation” in Prestatyn, so this property would prevent “uprooting” for children and families.

Ty Glyn's breakfast room (Image: Newsquest)

She said the property is “purpose-built” for being a “fully accommodating unit for homeless people,” as opposed to B&B- or hotel-style accommodation.

Asked if there is any desire to house people from outside Denbighshire at Ty Glyn, Ms Williams said: “Not at the moment.”

Concerns that have been raised about the proposal include the property’s proximity to Bodnant Community School, alleged instances of antisocial behaviour at the premises, and parking and noise issues.

In total, 24 incidents were logged by North Wales Police at the property since it began operating as a homeless hostel.

Ty Glyn was purchased for £260,000 by SLM Estates Ltd – a company which has the same director as Together Homes NW (Mr Gordon) - in December 2023.

Ms Williams said “about eight” children resided at the property with their parents/guardians while it operated as a homeless hostel, and said Bodnant Community School did not raise any concerns or issues with her or her colleagues.

Mr Gordon added that five members of staff were employed at the hostel on a full-time basis.

All of them were said to be fully DBS-checked, with two employees on site “day and night, 24/7”.

There are 16 CCTV cameras “which cover the whole building,” Ms Williams said.

She added that the home has a “no tolerance policy” if any substances are found, and that the residents responsible would be moved on if that happened.

“Residents don’t want to cause any issues. It’s embarrassing for them to be in this situation, and they are compliant with what we ask of them,” she said.

Staff endeavour to “immediately” resolve any issues identified at the hotel, while officers from Denbighshire County Council’s homeless prevention team visit daily.

Inside Ty Glyn (Image: Newsquest)

Cllr Andrea Tomlin (Prestatyn East ward) said she was concerned that two police incidents at the property involved prison recalls.

She added: “No condition can control the behaviour of the occupants out-with the boundary of the property. They (staff) have no control once the residents leave the building.

“They (residents) have been able to sleep at night since it closed, and they’re terrified of it re-opening.

“If, one day, that school in my ward ends up in some lockdown situation because a resident at that accommodation has run amok, then I will consider myself a failure

“Not one of us should consider running that risk. I won’t let it happen on my ward.

“What is more important to any one of us here than the safety of our children in our community? This is paramount.”

Linda Muraca, a former Prestatyn councillor, said there is a “high risk to children” at Bodnant Community School.

She said: “There is a high proportion of residents who do have drug, alcohol and mental health problems. You cannot put children in a cocoon, but what you have is a proliferation of residents within a small area.

“The close proximity of 28 Nant Hall Road to the main entrance and the car park is not conducive to the welfare of the children.

“It’s appreciated that such accommodation is required in Denbighshire. We’re not heartless. But its location needs to be carefully selected

“I have witnessed some of the destruction that this institution has caused in our town. There has been an improvement since its closure.

“I used to feel quite nervous about walking past 28 Nant Hall Road; I found myself crossing the road to avoid it. It shouldn’t be like that. - I’ve lived in this town for 50-plus years.

“I find it quite incredulous that Denbighshire (County Council) has bought into this accommodation in the knowledge that it didn’t have the necessary permissions.

“I have witnessed children at the property coming and going. I consider that is a safeguarding issue. Some of the residents there do have massive issues.”

Michelle Johnson, who lives at a neighbouring property, said problems at the hostel included “booming” music and “banging of doors”.

She also said two particular police incidents, one of which was a “misunderstanding” but involved armed officers closing the road, were “very unnerving”.

“I’ve never had to look over my shoulder when walking into town, but now I do,” she said.

“To go from a residential property into a hostel without the relevant permissions in place just isn’t right. The harm that we’ve described is real and ongoing.

“We’re not heartless. We know there is a homelessness issue. But 28 Nant Hall Road is not the appropriate place to offer this support.”

Sion Roberts, of Cadnant Planning (on behalf of the appellants), said there has been “significant support” from the public for the plans, including a petition for it to stay open which received more than 300 signatures.

Cllr Tomlin told him: “You have no idea how scared people are in speaking out about this matter… for fear of retaliation.”

Ms Williams added that there are “constant reminders” to residents about noise levels and to be respectful to neighbours.

She said that “under no circumstances” would paedophiles be allowed to reside at the property.

Planning inspector Ian Stevens will visit the site on Tuesday, July 14.

He invited the council and the hostel’s management to consider submitting a “management statement” within the next week.

Mr Stevens will rule on the appeal in due course.