* 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 19th 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.
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