Planners approve scheme to reinstate Berwyn Works on A5

* Berwyn Works on the A5. 

A scheme to reinstate what has become an eyesore building at the gateway to Llangollen has been approved by county planners. 

Since it was built in the 19^th century Berwyn Works has since been used as a brewery and later as light industrial and office accommodation. 

It is currently empty, derelict and potentially dangerous with debris sometimes falling onto the busy A5 which runs in front of the building. 

At the end of February an application by Grouber Ltd to repair and replace existing roof, doors and windows, including the alteration and insertion of new window openings and the rendering of the building’s exterior and associated works was granted by Denbighshire planners. 

The design and access statement which accompanied the application says: “The Berwyn Works has been used over the years since it was built in the late 19th century as a brewery and in more recent years, as light industrial and office accommodation. The building as a whole is under-utilised in its current form.

“The building’s facade is unattractive and contributes a negative visual presence on the main entrance to the town and as a backdrop viewed from the riverside park.

“This can be greatly improved, adding a positive contribution to the townscape as described in this application.

"The application site in its present form is a negative function in this townscape ... research shows that the tower was originally built in red brick and then faced in the yellow brick at a later date and marks the transition point in the character of the former brewery.

“Despite having being much altered in its current form it nevertheless makes a significant contribution to the townscape.

“An option to purchase the buildings was granted in 2017 to 2023, the planning proposals were frustrated by the problems of reaching a financially feasible solution to access to the site.”

The statement adds that the objectives of the application are to restore the building for commercial use in line with the current planning conditions.

This will mean, it adds: “Reinstating the structural integrity of the buildings in line with existing planning permission for commercial use, re-roofing all the existing roofs and re-glazing all the existing window openings.”

The statement goes on: “In this proposal we are planning to repair and renew all the roof coverings on the building. Currently the roof is slate and has been partially removed as they were deemed unsafe due to water damage affecting the structural integrity of the timbers.

“In this application we are proposing to reinstate the roofs on the buildings with insulated metal profile sheets, the proposed colour is anthracite grey. This material will match the neighbouring commercial buildings. This material has been chosen for his long-term sustainability.

“The proximity buildings to the A5 trunk Rd is also a concern as slates have slipped from the roof in the past and landed on the road, by using this material that scenario will no longer be problematic.”

The statement includes a note which says: “We will be submitting a Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) to the Local Planning Authority that shall be to the satisfaction of the Welsh Government prior to the commencement of any works effecting on the elevation adjacent to the A5 trunk road to maintain the safety and free flow of trunk road traffic.”

The application was approved by Denbighshire planners subject to conditions on February 2.

* Significant work has been done over the past few months on replacing the retaining wall alongside Berwyn Works.