£2million home set to be demolished for being 'old fashioned'

A couple have won their battle to demolish their £2million home in a stunning natural location because it is too old fashioned.

Paula and Geraint Jewson, 66, own the 'second most expensive home' in a millionaire's row overlooking the Welsh coastline.

The 1930s single storey house, known as Ynys Y Big, has its own island, woodland and harbour and is set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 

But the large home, which is on a 1.62 hectare site in Anglesey, north Wales, was described as 'a truly poor state.'

And now Paula and Geraint's plans to demolish the 'dated' home and replace it with a new two-storey modern development have been approved.

The couple's agent Rhys Davies told the council's planning committee that 'the house is in a poor state of repair and not in a suitable state for renovation.'

The two previous applications were refused in 2019 and 2021 - but the third application included a revised design for a new house.

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Fury as wealthy couple plan to demolish their £2million home because it is too old fashioned

'It's now a much smaller, traditional house,' he said in the meeting on October 2 of this year.

Mr Davies said objections likely 'referred to the previous application,' adding that 'the plans had been discussed with neighbours.'

'The footprint of the new house has been 'moved back' on the site,' he said.

It was now 'mainly on the current footprint of the existing dwelling' and gave 'no visual impact to the neighbours.'

He added that the replacement was the most sustainable long-term solution and the home in Gwynedd would be of 'a high standard.'

The home currently has a sizeable lounge, sitting and dining room, conservatory and a bespoke kitchen and a utility room.

It also has four double bedrooms and two family bathrooms - with the master bedroom having its own en suite bathroom.

The southeast property has outstanding views across the water towards Snowdonia and its own stone harbour quay.

Planning manager Rhys Jones said the matter had taken five years of discussions and 'considerable compromise.'

He said: 'I feel what is in front of us today is acceptable in terms of quality location design.'

The meeting heard that there had been some local concerns that the home would be nearer the Menai Strait.

But Mr Jones said the house was 'not that much closer' and the building had only been 'turned slightly.'

He added that the visual impact was 'not much more' than the existing building.

Speaking on the condition of the house, he said that the property was 'likely to need extensive modernisation.'

There was also 'excessive dampness throughout the building' and asbestos was 'likely present.'

Considerable groundwork and drainage work was also required and its roof timbers were 'performing sufficiently but would not meet current structural requirements.'

The Authority's Valuation Officer also noted a cost comparison which 'demonstrated that the repair of the existing building would not be economically viable.'

'It's clear that work needed to bring the property to an acceptable standard are significant,' said Mr Jones.

'It is therefore accepted that the renovation and retention of the existing building is not economically feasible, replacement is the only appropriate and sustainable solution.'

Over the years, neighbours were furious over a plan as the site is 'located outside any development boundary in an AONB where the primary objective is to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the landscape.'

Previous objectors also noted that issues identified in the structural report were 'likely due the fact that the property has been neglected and unoccupied since 2017 and had not been maintained rather than any major issues with the condition of the building.'

In a vote, the council's planning committee unanimously approved the application.