Developers who said there was no business use demand on “bomb site” land in Llandudno have put in plans for five commercial units.

Councillors deferred a planning decision on a residential scheme from Warrington-based Lane End Developments, who were working with social landlord Clwyd  Alyn, in December.

The scheme was deferred by councillors at the Conwy county council planning meeting and eventually withdrawn by the company.

The applicant said at the time there was no business use demand for the land.

Now the company’s submission is for five business units between 20-40m deep, 4-6.5m high and 9-13.5m in length.

A response to the application from Gwynedd Archaeological Planning Service says the site is of possible interest because of the potential for industrial artefacts and prehistoric relics.

It has suggested no work should start until a programme of archaeological work has been submitted, known as a watching brief, in case anything of historical interest is found.

Planning officers objected to the original residential scheme of 56 apartments and 33 houses because it partly sits in a conservation area and is an LDP allocated employment site for B1 (Business) use.

It sits within a C1 flood zone and officers noted “potential land contamination” on the site, which has lain largely unused for a considerable time.

During the committee hearing for the now withdrawn application Cllr Ken Stevens (Pant yr Afon/Penmaenan ward) said anyone on a site visit would say the development was an “improvement to the area”.

He added: “It looks like a bomb site to me. I can’t remember anything ever being on there. It’s always been derelict.”

Lack of parking on the proposal was also a potential issue but the applicants said it would be ideal for commuters and cyclists, suggesting it as a “green” developement.

In the end Cllr Sue Lloyd Williams (Llansannan ward) proposed to defer the decision to another date, to allow the applicant to back up claims about a lack of demand for business use on the site.

The planning committee agreed, eventually voting 9-4, with one abstention, to defer the 89-home scheme.