Windmill holiday home agreed

Anglesey Council has approved the plan, second time around

A plan to convert an empty 18th century windmill into holiday accomodation on Anglesey has been given the go-ahead - three weeks before a public inquiry is to be held.

Councillors have decided to grant a change of use and development around the mill at Llangoed after initially turning it down because of highways issues.

Anglesey council officers told councillors that the authority's highway engineers "do not consider they could defend their stance at the public inquiry" following recent plan changes.

But the Welsh Assembly Government has said, unless otherwise told, the inquiry is still on 22 June.

The mill was built in 1742 and it had become a ruin, by the time we have finished we will have spent £100,000 John Wood

An outhouse and septic tank as well as the conversion formed part of the plan which was originally put before the council in 2003.

But the authority refused the plan because the junctions near the area were below standard and traffic coming to and from the windmill could be "detrimental to road safety" and "inconvenience existing road users".

Since then, engineers on behalf of the applicants have said the volume of traffic is unlikely to have a significant impact and a scheme to improve road safety has been submitted.

Costs likely

Officers have told members it is likely an award of costs would occur - if the appeal carried on.

Businessman John Wood, who is the behind the conversion, said: "The mill was built in 1742 and it had become a ruin, by the time we have finished we will have spent £100,000, it is magnificent and in an area of outstanding natural beauty."

Mr Wood said extra signs telling motorists to take care now form part of his secord application.

Mr Wood added: "It is a very special place and would be used by only four adults at a time."

An Isle of Anglesey Council spokesperson said the second application contained improvements which "allayed the concerns" of highways officers.

"This second application was subsequently approved by the planning committee on 2 June.

"Once planning permission is released for the second application, it is expected that the applicant will withdraw the appeal."