Redevelopment of Former Pen-y-Bryn Pub Approved

A Wrexham pub is set for regeneration after Wrexham councillors unanimously passed proposals to partially convert a former pub into apartments.

Members of Wrexham’s Planning Committee last night approved proposals to convert a section of the former Swan public house on Pen-Y-Bryn into four one bedroom, self-contained flats.

The initial application was lodged earlier in March and comes at a time where the Pen-Y-Bryn area has been subject to several proposals of regeneration – despite some referring to the area as a ‘Third World Country’.

In what was a very quick decision on the proposed redevelopment, Planning Officer David Williams noted that the property provides the maximum parking for a town centre location and that the application should be ‘supported’.

This was echoed by Cllr David Griffiths who said: “I think the impact is fantastic and it’s going to brighten up that place no end.”

At present the ground floor of the former public house is used for retail purposes and will continue to trade in the property alongside the creation of flats on the floors above.

The overall interior layout will include an apartment located on a section of the ground floor, two would be situated on the first and second floor and independent access would be created for apartment four. The basement would continue to be used as shop storage and the retail unit would continue to operate on the ground floor alongside the new apartments.

The initial Design and Access Statement submitted with the application noted: “The proposal is to change use of the premises from A3 to A1 and C3 which retains and renovates a character building within the community that presently is largely derelict and in a state of ongoing deterioration that would likely remain vacant to deteriorate further if not put to its proposed use.

“The change of use application we are proposing would provide good quality apartments of varying sizes, converting the building will add a diversity of housing types in the locality, widening the choice of available accommodation.”