Plans for extra accommodation for older people at Menai Bridge

Plans have been approved for an extra care facility and residential home to meet a "significant and growing demand" for accommodation for older people on Anglesey.

It follows projections of a 70% rise in the number of over 85 year olds on the island over the next 10 years.

Anglesey council's planning committee agreed to the major development at Glanynys, Menai Bridge.

The plans have attracted some criticism, with 11 letters written in objection. Concerns raised included worries over the impact on the environment and the potential of noise and disruption to local people.

Head of development and planning, Rhys Lloyd Jones, said there was a "clear need for affordable and specialist units".

The committee agreed to a full application to erect an extra-care facility with 31 one-bedroom and 14 two-bedroom units plus a 28-bed residential care home.

The site would be owned and operated by the council and the units would be rented.

The proposal would see the creation of a restaurant café, reception area, space for community support services and car parking.

The plans require the removal of 141 trees but 429 trees will be planted to replace those removed.

The planning officers report noted that a number of the tress had Ash Dieback disease, which causes leaf loss, canopy decline and in some cases causes the trees to die.

The site is located on 1.8 hectares of sloping, vacant and overgrown land between Tyddyn Mostyn and Druid Road.

Access to the new development would be off Tyddyn Mostyn.

Head of development and planning at Anglesey council, Rhys Lloyd Jones, described the scheme as a "major development" which was recommended for approval.

Some members of the council raised issues during the meeting including asking why a brownfield site had not been chosen and commenting on the loss of green areas on the island, alongside potential disruption on locals during construction.

Lloyd Jones said: "There is a clear need for affordable and specialist units. The demand for this type of accommodation is growing".

Acknowledging the concerns of residents, Aethwy councillor Sonia Williams urged developers to "communicate" with residents during the construction phase.

"If you go to Hafan Cefni [the extra care facility site in Llangefni] you can see how fantastic the service is there, so I don't have any objections," she said.

"However, I do have concerns about the pipe to run from the site towards the rugby field, the impact of the work on the community, and the closure of roads.

"It is already difficult to leave the estate in the morning due to the amount of traffic."

She also called for "more information" on the noise and added that "traffic management would be key especially at school times".

Lloyd Jones said construction and traffic management plans would be presented before work started to explain how environmental impacts would be mitigated and to "greet the concerns" from local residents.