A community’s 14-year battle to reclaim an Anglesey beauty spot from developers could be nearing a turning point. Funding has been reportedly pledged to finance the purchase of Penrhos Coastal Park (CP) depending on insolvency outcomes and a fraud investigation by police.

A Community Interest Company (CIC) is being established to formalise a possible future bid by residents in Holyhead and beyond. This will aim to “facilitate community ownership of Penrhos for the benefit of future generations”.

The CIC hopes to overturn planning consent awarded for almost 500 luxury lodges at the 200-acre site. Having acquired the coastal park in January, new owners the 79th Group talked of a £250m development starting this summer.

But a City of London Police investigation was launched into the Southport-based asset management business. On February 28, the force said four people connected to the company had been arrested and bailed as part of “Operation Mold ”.

This week, notice was given that eight companies associated with 79th Group had been placed into administration. They were were among a batch of 13 79th Group vehicles that had filed notice of intention to appoint an administrator.

These included DJC Leisure, which at the turn of the year bought 18 parcels of Penrhos CP land from former site owner Land and Lakes. Penrhos CP supporters have also learnt that “hundreds” of 79th Group staff have been told their jobs have gone. Sign up now for the latest news on the North Wales Live Whatsapp community

Penrhos stalwart Hilary Paterson-Jones has led efforts to thwart plans for a luxury holiday complex ever since former site owner Land and Lakes announced its intentions in 2011. She said the fraud case implications for Penrhos were currently uncertain. But the new CIC – expected to be formalised this week – will explore opportunities that might arise from this uncertainty.

Penrhos Coastal Park is a cherished amenity for local people
Penrhos Coastal Park is a cherished amenity for local people

Hilary said: “We’ve already had offers of funding from numerous private sector, government and individual sources. At the moment I’m not at liberty to say who they are. The admin team will also be looking to secure additional funding from other sources, including crowdfunding initiatives, with a view to bringing Penrhos into community ownership.”

Since the launch of of formal police investigation in February, the 79th Group has stopped all interest and redemption payments to loan note holders - these raised cash by offering investors high returns over a fixed period. The suspension of payments has raised liquidity concerns and has left investors frantic with worry. A collective civil recovery process is in its early stages.

When the City of London Police announced its investigation, Anglesey Council expressed “great concern” over the development. With support from local councillors, Penrhos supporters now aim to overturn planning permission controversially awarded by the council for a holiday complex in 2016. If stripped of consent, it’s hoped other developers will be deterred and the site’s asset value will fall.

Supporters will also be assessing possibilities should DJC Leisure enter administration. Hilary set out the CIC’s plans yesterday with Plaid leader Rhun ap Iorwerth, the Senedd Member for Ynys Môn.

Land & Lakes' original vision for holiday lodges at Holyhead's Penrhos Coastal Park
Land & Lakes' original vision for holiday lodges at Holyhead's Penrhos Coastal Park

Having lost a £40,000 High Court case against the Penrhos development last year, Hilary hopes a turning point has been reached. She’s been keeping a watch on the wooded site since 1969 when Anglesey Aluminium sought consent for a vast smelter on Holyhead’s outskirts.

She said: “The then Welsh Office insisted that 272 acres of the 790-acre site were set aside as public amenity in perpetuity – I watched the company secretary type out the agreement.

“This became the coastal park which is home to an ancient woodland and some of the last surviving red squirrels in Wales. It was and, still is, a refuge for local people. So when the site was bought by Land and Lakes for holiday chalets, depriving the community of its legacy, it caused a huge outcry – it was among the first things I mentioned when I initially addressed the council chamber.

“Bringing the coastal park into community ownership would be a way of squaring the circle after all these years.” Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter - sent every Friday

At stake is more than local pride and amenity, Hilary added. In the fight against climate change, Penrhos CP is an important bulwalk against carbon emissions, she said. “I struggle to understand why the Welsh Government is paying to plant trees in countries like Ghana when it won’t safeguard ancient woodlands in Wales like the one at Penrhos.

“We are a tiny island and I fear we may as well float off into the Irish Sea for all the lack of support we get here. If the coastal park is ever lost, Holyhead will become a concrete town with barely a single tree left.”

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