Hostel at former school recommended for approval

Approval has been recommended for plans to transform a former school in Bangor into a hostel.An application seeks to change the use of the Hillgrove School site into a hostel and supported living unit, to be used by a charitable organisation.It is proposed to undertake internal reorganisation to the buildings on the Ffriddoedd Road site to provide a facility that is “fit for purpose”. The intention is to build a single-storey, flat roof extension to connect the three main buildings of the existing property.The extension would provide 18 bedrooms with en-suite facilities dispersed across two floors of the building.The accommodation would also provide a domestic kitchen for residents, a communal dining area, the community lounge, a commercial kitchen and dining room, and main hall, as well as a staff room and stores.The proposal would use the existing vehicular access from Ffriddoedd Road but no changes would be made to the parking and access arrangements.Living support would be provided to be residents of the hostel.A Gwynedd Council officer’s report has made a recommendation to approve the application with conditions.The report added: “It is considered that a hostel development to offer support to those with alcohol or drug dependency would be acceptable in relation to the relevant planning policies noted above, and it is not considered that it would have an additional significant detrimental impact on the amenities of the area or nearby residents.”Gwynedd’s planning committee will discuss the application at a meeting on Monday (17 October).