A FORMER Llandudno NHS clinic will be converted into a two-storey car sales showroom after developers were given the green light at a planning meeting – despite objections from a government body.

Councillors at the Conwy County Council planning committee meeting gave Mostyn Estates Ltd permission to convert the former Llandudno medical clinic on Argyll Road into a Honda and Kia showroom.

Officers had advised councillors that the application should be ‘minded to approve’.

Usually the application would have been decided on the delegated authority of planning officers, but the application was reported to the planning committee as officers’ advice ran contrary to that of Natural Resources Wales (NRW)

The NRW raised questions about a potential “flood risk”.

The plans include alterations to the vehicular access and associated works.

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But councillors accused the NRW of not considering local people and businesses when issuing advice.

Sioned Edwards was the agent for Mostyn Estates and spoke in favour of the development.

“The site is currently vacant and has been cleared following the demolition of the former NHS clinic, which was previously on the site,” she said.

“The only reason this application has been reported to the committee is due to officers recommending this for appeal, which differs from the view of NRW.”

She added: “The site lies in a C1 flood-risk area, which actually covers the majority of Llandudno. There are no other issues with the application.”

Cllr Nigel Smith proposed that councillors supported the application, which was later seconded by Cllr Ifor Lloyd.

“It is a rare thing for our planning officers to go contrary to the NRW,” he said.

“But it is a very pleasing thing. The NRW are a law unto themselves and never consider the effect they may have on people or businesses in the area.

“I welcome this development. It will bring quality employment and restore a quality premises on that most attractive site that it will become on the major thoroughfare into our queen of resorts – Llandudno.”

Cllr Chris Cater said: “There is no living accommodation involved, and remember it was an NHS clinic before, so if anything, we are putting something there that is very much lower in risk.”

Cllr Mandy Hawkins added: “I support this as well. It will support local employment, and it is not residential, so it is not a risk to lives.”

The committee voted in favour of the development.