A bid to upgrade a former care home in a Victorian building at the centre of Criccieth will be put before county planners.

Developers say a “refurbishment, remodelling and enhancement scheme” for the former Plas Newydd Care Home near the High Street has been centred on facilitating the building for a potential future use as a care facility.

Plans note that the bedrooms have been designed to “modern healthcare standards” and would be “supported by enhanced communal, nursing and staff facilities.”

A full planning application for extensions, internal and external alterations and refurbishment has been received by Gwynedd Council.

The residential care home on Pwllheli Road, was decommissioned on 4 January, 2024 and has remained empty ever since.

The former elderly and dementia care facility had provided 18 bedrooms, of which five were en suite. The planned work will see the development of nine en-suite resident bedrooms.

Plans say the property, would retain the existing Victorian building whilst developing extensions to the side and rear.

The work will see  a three-storey rear extension, single-storey extensions and a glazed link, creating additional accommodation and operational space as “whilst retaining the character and presence of the original building” the proposal says.

The application noted that in March 2026, planning permission was refused for the demolition of the existing building and redevelopment of the site to provide nine affordable over-55s independent living apartments with extra care services.

However, following that refusal the applicant had “reviewed alternative options”.

“In response to concerns raised regarding the scale, massing and overall design approach of the development proposal, the current scheme seeks to retain and reuse the existing building rather than pursue its demolition,” the application, said.

It was made by Meddyg Care Group Holdings Ltd through the agent Nia Borsey of Fisher German LLP.

According to the planning report “the applicant has been by approached by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board regarding the potential reoccupation of the site as an acute care home.

“This reflects an identified and pressing need for additional healthcare and specialist care accommodation within the area,” it stated.

“The proposal is therefore centred on the refurbishment, remodelling and enhancement of the existing building to facilitate its continued use as a care facility.”

It notes that an existing garage building will be demolished as part of wider proposals.

The site occupies a prominent position within Criccieth town centre and has an “established history” of care-related use.

The detail noted that the principle of the development was to “secure the long-term future of a vacant care home through its retention, improvement and continued use for healthcare purposes, whilst avoiding the need for comprehensive demolition and redevelopment”.

It added: “The proposed development represents an opportunity to bring a vacant healthcare facility back into beneficial use, responding to an identified local need whilst retaining a building that makes a positive contribution to the character of Criccieth.”

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has been approached for a comment.