PROPOSALS have been approved to expand a taxi firm by converting a building in Rhyl labelled an “eyesore” into both an office and a designated area for vehicle maintenance.

The plans, drawn up by Zenith Logistic Consultants Ltd, were sent to Denbighshire County Council’s planning committee on May 21, and concern 72-74 Ffordd Las.

It sought permission to erect a two-storey taxi dispatch office and workshop building at the site, including the formation of vehicular access and installation of closed circuit television.

Today (October 24), the council’s planning committee approved the proposals.

Zenith says in its application that 13 full-time and 50 part-time employees would work at the premises.

The site falls in a designated employment area of the adopted Denbighshire Local Development Plan.

Extracts from a supporting statement from the applicant read: “The above property has been a bit of an eyesore on Ffordlas for a number of years.

“The building has become dangerous, I have had the area properly fenced to keep the general public safe, as I can’t get insurance on the building because of the state that it is in.

“The ground floor would be open-plan with a counter to divide the driver/public from the working area, so no-one outside the company would be able to see taxi booking screens.

“The larger building would be a commercial garage with four bays – (including) two bays with pits, one of which would have brake testing equipment for the larger vehicles.

“The two other bays would take smaller vehicles and cars. I operate 40 of my own vehicles so I need an in-house garage.

“I also have another 15 owner drivers, so can offer servicing and repairs to these drivers.

“I aim to make the buildings modern and aesthetically pleasing on the eye, and also modern to achieve the company aim of offsetting our carbon footprint.

“I hope to attract skilled, well-paid jobs to the garage which will complement our other businesses employing a number of people in different roles.”

When consulted on the plans, Rhyl Town Council and Denbighshire County Council’s highways department made no objections.

Natural Resources Wales said it had “concerns” about the development, but was “satisfied” that these could be overcome.

Extracts from its consultation response read: “The Flood Consequences Assessment fails to demonstrate that the proposed development can be designed to be flood-free.

“Based on the existing status of the site, we have no objection to the proposal on flood risk grounds, provided that the most recent site layout plans are included as an approved document.

“A flood risk activity permit may be required for any works in, over, under or within eight metres of a fluvial main river (including any defences on that main river) or within a flood plain.

“This includes the construction of any structure associated with the drainage of runoff from the site into the main river, or river crossings.”