Welsh Assembly to decide Ty Mawr future

Apr 8 2009 Holyhead and Anglesey Mail

Ty Mawr

OPPONENTS of the £100m Ty Mawr scheme earmarked for the outskirts of Llanfairpwll are delighted that the Welsh Assembly has decided to call in the plans.

After the controversial retail/office development near the Britannia Bridge was given the go ahead by Anglesey county councillors in January, opponents of the scheme sent in their objections to the minister Jane Davidson at the department of the environment.

On Friday, the department confirmed that the Assembly would take the decision out of the hands of Anglesey County Council.

Supporters of the scheme which could create anywhere between 300 and 1,800 jobs believe the delay will jeopardise the scheme which is believed would not be started by Ynys Môn Estates until 2012.

Anglesey's new planning portfolio holder, Cllr Bob Parry, a supporter of the scheme has just replaced Cllr Bob Llywelyn Jones at planning.

Cllr Jones was opposed to the development which was passed in January after being rejected by councillors in December.

Cllr Bob Parry said: “The Assembly's decision puts the creation of more than a 1,000 new jobs at risk.

“It's hugely frustrating given the current economic situation facing Anglesey. We're already facing the potential of significant job losses and major unemployment, and opportunities to create hundreds of new jobs don't grow on trees.

“The Ty Mawr development does indeed conflict with a number of planning policies, but I firmly believe that our officers' economic rationale was proper and just.

“Attracting inward investment to the island is difficult enough in the current economic climate, and this wasn't a speculative scheme. I would urge the Assembly's planning officials to take full consideration of the unique economic challenges facing Anglesey when reviewing the county council's decision to approve the Ty Mawr development.”