Conwy County Council in Wales has come under increasing public pressure after revelations that it spent over £3.2 million on a heavy-duty truck depot that was never commissioned. The data was obtained through a Freedom of Information request and published by the BBC Local Democracy Reporting Service. The situation has been exacerbated by the council’s acknowledged budget deficit of £5.632 million for the 2026/27 financial year, which may require additional measures, including potential changes to council tax for households.
The facility in Mochdre on the north coast of Wales was planned as a servicing base for Conwy County Council’s heavy-duty fleet, but was unable to function as intended due to identified defects. Authorities say they cannot disclose details as the matter is pending litigation. The bulk of the costs are not related to construction, but to ongoing liabilities: over £2.23 million has already been paid in rent, over £700,000 has been paid to consultants, approximately £290,000 has been spent on legal fees, and maintenance and utility costs have also been incurred. Despite partial revenue, the overall project balance remains negative.
The landlord is RR Sea Strand Limited, previously known as Conygar Strand Limited, indicating a connection with the Conygar brand, which has featured in previous publications. According to LDRS, the lease is long-term, with a termination option only available in the early 2030s, leaving Conwy County Council with significant financial liabilities unless the dispute is resolved or the terms of the agreement are renegotiated.