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£100m Holyhead marina overhaul gets go-ahead £100m Holyhead marina overhaul gets go-ahead
(about 3 hours later)
A £100m redevelopment of Holyhead Marina which will include new homes, a hotel and a maritime museum has been given the go-ahead.A £100m redevelopment of Holyhead Marina which will include new homes, a hotel and a maritime museum has been given the go-ahead.
Anglesey councillors granted outline planning permission for a 500-berth marina, despite 4,000 people having signed protest petitions.Anglesey councillors granted outline planning permission for a 500-berth marina, despite 4,000 people having signed protest petitions.
Objectors are concerned about the impact on Newry beach and say the homes and a bigger marina are not needed.Objectors are concerned about the impact on Newry beach and say the homes and a bigger marina are not needed.
Town councillor Joe Lock said he hoped the marina would help tourism. Protesters packed the public gallery of the council chamber in Llangefni.
Councillors discussed the plans, put forward as a joint venture between Stena Line and the Conygar Investment Company, and voted on them at a planning committee meeting on Wednesday. The plans, put forward as a joint venture between Stena Line and the Conygar Investment Company, were voted through with seven votes in favour and none against.
The proposals, which have been adapted in response to initial complaints from locals about loss of views, include:The proposals, which have been adapted in response to initial complaints from locals about loss of views, include:
  • 326 homes, a mix of apartments and houses.
  • Buildings for commercial and leisure use
  • Hotel
  • A new youth centre
  • A public beach area
  • A new maritime museum and visitor centre
  • 326 homes, a mix of apartments and houses.
  • Buildings for commercial and leisure use
  • Hotel
  • A new youth centre
  • A public beach area
  • A new maritime museum and visitor centre
It is understood 700 jobs will be created by the new marina and its construction.It is understood 700 jobs will be created by the new marina and its construction.
Cruise liners Councillor John Chorlton voted in favour of the plans.
Mr Lock said he supported the plans but did have doubts about some elements, adding that the town council wanted to listen to and address the concerns of local people. He said: "Holyhead has to reinvent itself and look at the bigger picture.
"I support the plans because of the economic benefits in terms of tourism and commercial buildings, which would be built as part of the development," he said. "What's the future for our youngsters?"
"We hope to attract businesses onto the site and hopefully the marina would become a pull for tourism. Mr Chorlton said that "every major development near Holyhead" had been opposed by people who were opposed to development if it was in their locality.
"We're starting to see more and more cruise liners coming in and I think that's the market they're aiming at. He looked to the public gallery and commented: "You can look over the roofs of the houses.
"At the moment they coach away all the tourists after they arrive at Holyhead and take them to places like Llanfairpwll and Llandudno. "If you carry on this way, there won't be a future for Holyhead. You're putting a gate on the Four Mile Bridge and saying 'don't come here, we're all dead'!"
"But we want the tourists to stay in Holyhead and the new marina is a part of that."
Anglesey council received about 370 individual letters of objection, together with eight petitions containing some 4,170 names.Anglesey council received about 370 individual letters of objection, together with eight petitions containing some 4,170 names.
One letter of support had been submitted at the time the council report into the development was written.One letter of support had been submitted at the time the council report into the development was written.
County councillor Robert L Jones said many people were angry that apartments would be built along the front of Newry beach, which is public, and that they would be too expensive for local people to buy. Councillor J Arwel Roberts told the committee: "I can't support this plan.
"I was sat at Newry beach the other day and a man came along and said to me 'this is the nicest panoramic view I have seen and I have travelled the world.' It turned out he was from America," said Mr Jones, who represents Porthyfelin. "It's a private company coming in for its own gain. Yes I want to see jobs and investment in Holyhead and, yes, Holyhead has employment problems.
"People come here and we get a lot of tourists and yet, if this development goes ahead, they would only be able to see the backs of the apartment blocks. "So it's with a heavy heart that I say I can't support this. To take the Newry Beach area away from residents is not acceptable."
"And these apartments won't be for local people - they wouldn't be able to afford them. They will be second homes for people who have their boats at Holyhead and so will be empty a lot of the time." Councillor Robert Llewelyn Jones, who represents part of the area where the new marina will be built but is not a member of the committee and was not able to vote, told the committee: "The developer is asking for permission to take away the only public seafront that Holyhead has.
Robert Ware, chief executive of Conygar, said it was delighted that the council had granted planning permission for the marina development. "If you've got a promenade, you've got to have a view. That will disappear.
"The flats and apartments will have a view, and I'm sure they'll be worth a lot of money, though they'll be too expensive for local people of course."
'Innovative mixed-use marina'
Robert Ware, chief executive of Conygar, said he was delighted that the council had granted planning permission for the marina development.
"It has been a massive effort by all concerned and this exciting and ambitious regeneration scheme which should bring significant benefits to the town and area can now move forward with confidence," he said."It has been a massive effort by all concerned and this exciting and ambitious regeneration scheme which should bring significant benefits to the town and area can now move forward with confidence," he said.
Michael McGrath, area director for Stena Line, said: "The proposed marina development at Holyhead is not only an important facility for the people of Holyhead and surrounding area but it also represents a significant opportunity to help drive future economic prosperity across the region with the provision of one of the most innovative mixed-use marinas in the UK."Michael McGrath, area director for Stena Line, said: "The proposed marina development at Holyhead is not only an important facility for the people of Holyhead and surrounding area but it also represents a significant opportunity to help drive future economic prosperity across the region with the provision of one of the most innovative mixed-use marinas in the UK."