Homes Set for Site of Former Flintshire Bowls Club
The Transformation of a Former Bowling Green
Plans have been put forward to convert the site of a former bowling green in Flintshire into a residential area. Specifically, four detached homes are proposed for the location of the Treuddyn Bowling Club, which ceased operations in August 2024 due to a sustained drop in membership.
The club's decline was significant, with membership numbers falling from 37 players in 2014 to just 12 by the time it closed. The site, which includes the bowling green and a large car park, has since been left in a state of "neglect" according to the applicants.
The proposal involves building four family homes that will be accessed via the existing entrance onto Ffordd y Llan. The design features a staggered layout rather than a straight line, aiming to integrate seamlessly with the surrounding village and conservation area.
Two house styles are suggested, incorporating a combination of brick, render, and stone detailing, along with traditional-style windows and pitched slate roofs. Each home would come with its own garden and on-site parking, with three spaces allocated per property.
Design and Environmental Considerations
The elevations for the proposed houses are detailed in the planning documents. Developers have outlined plans to retain existing hedgerows and mature trees around the site. Additionally, floodlights and disused structures from the bowling club will be removed. Solar panels will be installed on all four houses, and landscaping is planned to improve biodiversity along the frontage.
The planning statement highlights the broader national trend of declining interest in crown green bowling, attributed to aging memberships, rising maintenance costs, and shifting leisure preferences. Annual upkeep costs for a bowling green range between £8,000 and £12,000, excluding energy and building maintenance expenses.
Developers argue that there is no realistic chance of the club reopening and cite the availability of alternative bowling greens nearby. There are eight clubs within five miles of Treuddyn, with more located in Mold, Buckley, Leeswood, and Pontybodkin.
Community and Recreational Benefits
A financial contribution is also proposed to enhance other recreational facilities in the village, potentially including upgrades to the Treuddyn play area. The removal of the large car park, redundant buildings, and floodlighting is described as a visual improvement, with developers asserting that the scheme would enhance, rather than harm, the character of this edge of the conservation area.
Although the site is not designated for housing in Flintshire's Local Development Plan, it is considered suitable as a "windfall" site, provided that detailed design, heritage, traffic, and amenity considerations are addressed.
Planning documents indicate that expected traffic from four homes would be lower than when the site operated as a bowling club with a large car park. Flintshire County Council's planning officials will now review the application, including consultation responses from residents, conservation officers, and highways officials, before making a decision.
