Gwynedd councillors examine Caernarfon hotel plans

Councillors have backed a bid to extend a budget hotel in Caernarfon's Victoria Dock from 49 to 95 bedrooms.

Premier Inn's applications was one of two hotel plans being discussed by Gwynedd councillors on Monday.

Elsewhere a planned 12-bed hotel overlooking the Menai Strait and Anglesey was refused.

Reasons included that it would be unsuitable for the area, and contrary to planning policies.

Objectors to the new hotel included Bontnewydd Community Council, which said the hotel, at T欧 Glan Menai near the town's golf course , would be "completely unsuitable for the site".

Caernarfon Civic Society said it would be "an eyesore from the Menai Strait and Anglesey, and be visible from the World Heritage Site of Caernarfon Castle".

A lengthy planning report concluded that the size and type of the development would be unsuitable and would adversely affect the surrounding area.

Meanwhile, an extension to the 49-bedroom Premier Inn has been given the go-ahead.

It is part of a controversial redevelopment of the former industrial Victoria Dock area in the town.

Part of the site includes a large retail outfit called Celtica and the plan is to move it from its current location into another smaller unit to make room for the 27 new bedrooms.