UPDATE 14 January 2021
Conygar Holyhead Ltd has made public its intention to submit a new planning application for a Holyhead Waterfront Regeneration Scheme. Local residents have received notice (by post) inviting them to give their views on the new plan by 25th January 2021. This consultation is being undertaken on-line, by way of a Virtual Public Exhibition , under the Welsh Government’s guidance for planning applications during the COVID 19 restrictions.
Developers are required by law to undertake a consultation with the public and stakeholders. The guidelines for this are given in the Welsh Government document PRE-application Community Consultation: Best Practice Guidance for Developers, November 2017 .
It should be noted that in our opinion, Conygar’s current consultation via the Virtual Public Exhibition does not comply with the statutory requirements for pre-application public consultation.
There is not enough detail or information in the exhibition to be able to make any meaningful comment on the new proposal. Neither has sufficient time been given (i.e. only 14 days) in which to reply.
It would appear that the Virtual Public Exhibition is an informal pre-application introduction to the proposed new planning application. We have written to Axis to express our concerns and to ask for clarification. We will update you here when we receive a reply.
Setting aside the validity of this ‘exhibition’ as part of the consultation process, it should be noted that it is important for each of us to respond to this current invitation.
We therefore urge you to submit your views as requested by Axis, bearing in mind the lack of detail provided by the developer at this stage.
The Welsh Government’s Pre-application Community Consultation Guidelines for developers, promotes the need for developers to engage with communities to provide the opportunity for a local community to help shape the final planning application. There is no indication from Conygar at this time, that they will be engaging with the community to provide the opportunity for a discussion on changes to the planning application.
We reserve the right to be able to comment further when sufficient plans, details and time are made available by the developer. In the meantime you may find the following helpful in responding to the current Axis/Conygar request for your views. [details will be added here shortly]
When the current exercise is completed, Axis and Conygar will produce a report on the public’s views, which will be submitted with the new planning application.
It will be helpful to our campaign if we are made aware of the submissions made to Axis so we can gauge the level of agreement or disagreement to the new plan and also to hear of your views on how you wish to see the Newry regenerated. Please email your views to traethnewrybeach@gmail.com (indicate if you are part of the local community, a visitor and so on). We need to make as many people (both local and outside of Holyhead) aware of what is happening and quickly. Your help is needed here very much. How you can help:
Please use your social media to make your contacts aware of what is happening and encourage them to make their views known. We will summarise the responses on this web site. Thank you.
Post 1 June 2020:
During the past 3 years or so, little has happened with regards to Conygar’s proposed Holyhead Waterfront Development, however, we have kept our eye on the ball, ready to act as and when necessary.
In March 2020, the Isle of Anglesey Council (IACC) posted notices around the Newry to inform the community that Conygar Holyhead Ltd has submitted an application to extend its outline planning consent (which is due to expire in February 2021).
On 14 February 2014 Conygar Stena Line Ltd (CSL) was granted Outline Planning consent for the Holyhead Waterfront Regeneration Scheme when IACC issued the s 106 agreement which set out conditions that CSL is required to meet before any construction starts. Condition 3 required CSL to submit “Reserved Matters” by 14 February 2019. Condition 4 states that the construction must start 2 years later, ie 14 February 2021, or 2 years after the approval of the reserved matters. Conygar Holyhead Ltd (CH), now the sole developer. failed to meet the deadline to submit reserved matters, saying the Town or Village Green application, held them up.
Conygar Holyhead Ltd has applied to extend the reserved matters and commencement deadlines. The application is referenced VAR/2020/20/EIA. Full details can be found at http://www.axisped.co.uk/consultations/ Proposed Section 73 Application to Amend and Delete Various Conditions Attached to Outline Planning Permission Ref. 19C1046A/EIA/ECON
The deadline for making representations to IACC has passed, however, you can still make your views known to the Council by emailing: planning@anglesey.gov.uk
TheWaterfront Action Group Newry Beach Holyhead has made representations to IACC.
The Waterfront Action Group Newry Beach Holyhead (representing a significant number of the local community) aims to preserve the Newry area in its entirety. It is the unique Newry experience that is so highly cherished by the local community and visitors alike, that makes it priceless and worthy of preservation no matter the cost.
We must stop the Newry Beach and Promenade area being replaced with car parks, commercial outlets and apartments so that the Newry experience is preserved.
We understand that the CH application will go to a meeting of the Planning and Orders Committee. We have requested to speak at the meeting. Because of the extent and complexity of the application, it is anticipated that it will take a long time for IACC to determine it so it is likely the committee meeting will be held towards the end of the year or perhaps early next year.
To remind you of the images and impressions published by the developer to accompany its planning application (the now/don’t let this happen/proposed text on the image below has been added by us):
The developer proposes to enhance the small beach area between the Maritime Museum and Mackenzie Pier/Landing (shown in the area shaded blue in the above image).
If the proposed development goes ahead then the Newry beach and promenade will be replaced by car parks, commercial outlets and apartments. From the Maritime Museum to the Sailing Club there will be no more rock pooling, paddling, swimming, beachcombing, listening to the waves roll back and forth up and down the beach and no longer will those with impaired mobility be able to experience being close to the sea, beach and waves. Views from the greens across the harbour towards the Great Breakwater and the Skerries will be interrupted by apartments and commercial outlets. Views from Beach Road will be of car parks, commercial outlets and apartments.
There is time to send your comments and views to IACC:
email: planning@anglesey.gov.uk or write to:
Planning Function, Regulatory and Economic Development, Isle of Anglesey County Council, Llangefni, LL77 7TW
Please help save the Newry by making a donation.
The Waterfront Action Group has produced a PDF file called “Our Newry” to show how the proposed development will destroy Newry Beach and Promenade and with it the loss of activities and leisure pursuits enjoyed by children and adults alike. Click here Our Newry
Past events
NEWRY BEACH APPRECIATION DAY SUCCESS On Sunday 4th September 2016 at 3 pm 500 supporters of the Waterfront Action Group protested on the promenade at Newry Beach, to show how much they appreciate the beach and Newry area the way it is now and that we do not want the Conygar Stena Waterfront Development on the Newry part of the proposal.
Watch this Youtube video 1 filmed by Vicky Video
Watch this Youtube video 2 filmed by Vicky Video
We raised over £1000 from our fund raising activities and from donations. Thank you to all who contributed to make it a successful day.
NEWRY LEASE
Isle of Anglesey County County will no longer have any interest in the Newry from 24th December 2016. This is when the Council’s lease will be surrendered to Conygar Stena Line Ltd so that their proposed Waterfront Development can go ahead. The Outline Planning which has been approved, shows that Newry Beach, Promenade and some parts of the lower greens, will be replaced by another marina and with apartments, shops, offices and car parks. From the Maritime Museum to the Sailing Club there will be No more beach. No rock pools. No swimming. No diving. No more sunbathing and picnicking and playing on the beach. No more sailing, No more kayaking between the Sailing Club moorings and the beach. The whole ambiance of the Newry will change for the worse.
APPEAL TO RAISE £15,000: click here
Village Green Application latest: click here
Welcome to the Waterfront Action Group Campaign to save our coastline starting at the Maritime Museum on Newry Beach to the start of the Breakwater at Soldiers Point, from destruction by Conygar Stena’s proposed Waterfront Development.
Conygar Stena have been granted outline planning permission for a new 500 berth marina, 380 apartments and town houses, a hotel and over 43,000 sq feet of office, commercial and retail/leisure facilities. If this development is allowed it will destroy our beautiful coastline which is enjoyed by local families and visitors.
Newry Beach is Holyhead’s Pot of Gold. The jewel in the crown of Holyhead. Why destroy it? Newry beach and greens are close to the town centre and have been a place of rest, relaxation, tranquility and recreation for the people of Holyhead and visitors for decades. It is the greens, promenade and beach combined that makes the harbour so attractive. All must be retained and developed in such a way as to improve the attractiveness of the area and contribute to the economic growth of Holyhead and Holy Island. The Conygar Stena proposal will destroy this opportunity for Holyhead’s revival.
There is no need for this massive development. There is already a marina with potential to expand, whilst apartments alongside the marina remain unsold 6 years after completion. There is also a hotel and restaurants, a cafe, general stores and leisure facilities.
Furthermore, in today’s global economic climate, there is no guarantee that, if started, the proposed scheme would be completed. Newry Beach could end up looking like its twin town, Greystones in Ireland, where their Waterfront is far from completion. For several years much of Greystones waterfront was inaccessible; no public access. Only recently has access been re-established and the harbour and marina opened.
Look through our website where we describe our beach, coastline and heritage, and where we raise questions, issues and serious concerns about the proposed development.
For information about Holyhead and its surrounding areas please visit
Conygar Stena’s plan for the regeneration of the waterfront, Holyhead will destroy Newry Beach. The Waterfront Action Group was set up to SAVE NEWRY BEACH for the people of Holyhead, visitors and tourists. The beach has been a place for recreation, fun and leisure for decades and it seems unbelievable that Holyhead Town Council and Anglesey County Council have signed the ‘Newry Beach Destruction/Death Warrant’ by supporting the scheme and granting outline planning permission in June 2012.
The only benefit of the development that our Councillors and Politicians seem to believe is that it will provide JOBS for local people. The grossly exaggerated number of jobs declared by Conygar Stena is pure fantasy. Yes we do need the jobs but the very small number and type of local jobs is not worth destroying a beautiful natural coast and seafront recreational amenity. Ask the people of Holyhead; do you want a handful of seasonal and low paid jobs in exchange for losing your beach for ever?
We ask our Councillors; Do you want to go down in history as the Councillors who destroyed our beach to line the pockets of Conygar Stena and their investors?
IT IS NOT TOO LATE FOR THE COUNCILLORS WHO SUPPORT THIS HIDEOUS SCHEME TO STOP THE DESTRUCTION OF NEWRY BEACH.
Anglesey County Council own a lease on Newry Beach to 2025. Conygar Stena have asked the Council to give up this lease. We urged our Councillors to SAY NO and to keep the lease to 2025 and beyond. Here is the notice published on 12th March 2014 about the lease surrender.
The Executive of Anglesey County Council have agreed to surrender the Newry lease. We understand that the lease surrender has not been signed due to a number of legal issues which require resolution.
There are many opportunities around the Port where similar developments can be built. Make Conygar Stena consider these before Newry Beach is destroyed.
We say to Stena Line show some community conscience and illustrate your commitment to the well-being of the people of Holyhead and Anglesey by saving our seafront.
We say to Conygar Stena;
Withdraw your request to Anglesey County Council to give up their lease.
Withdraw your plans to develop Newry Beach; show some environmental conscience.
Below, Figures 1 to 3 showing images of Newry Beach: past, present and what could happen!
Fig 1: Photo of Newry Beach in the late 1990s.
Fig 2a: Conygar Stena impression of what Newry Beach could look like if the development goes ahead (we added the text).
NOW
PROPOSED
Fig. 2b. Views from Beach Road from impressions published by Conygar Stena.
Fig 3: Proposed masterplan of what Newry Beach could look like if the development goes ahead.
Join our Group to campaign against this hideous development and to save our seafront; email us at traethnewrybeach@gmail.com