Conwy Civic Hall redevelopment plans approved

Conwy County Borough Council has resolved to grant planning permission and listed building consent for the redevelopment of Conwy Civic Hall, subject to legal agreement.  

Conwy Civic Hall has been on our Theatres at Risk list since 2011. It is a distinctive Grade II listed building and is the only theatre in Conwy. The proposal will see demolition and redevelopment of its Brutalist block, which contains the theatre to provide a food hall with flexible community/performance space on the ground floor and an aparthotel at upper levels.

Theatres Trust objected to the loss of theatre provision. Local groups have been displaced since the venue’s closure and we believe there is realistic need and demand for retention or suitable reprovision. We also considered, along with Twentieth Century Society, that the architectural significance of the post war areas of the building had not been appreciated.

Following objections by Theatres Trust and members of the local community at a public consultation, the scheme does now contain an area labelled for live performance / community use. However, the proposed space is poorly defined with no obvious infrastructure to support live performance or the needs of the amateur dramatic groups in the town. Furthermore, the scheme presented to the planning committee had no mechanism by which to ensure the performance space would be delivered.

We are disappointed by the planning committee’s decision to support redevelopment of the site, which will mean the loss of significant post-war architecture and Conwy’s only theatre. However, the proposals, if properly considered during the next design phase, could provide the opportunity for the site to maintain some community / live performance use. For this reason, we cautiously welcome the suggested amendment by planning committee members following our intervention to impose a planning condition requiring the performance space to be included.

We are keen to work with the applicant to ensure the future space is fit for purpose and meets the needs of local people.

Photo: Conwy Civic Hall, Purcell