AN office above a former pet shop in a town’s conservation area is to be converted into a one-bedroom flat.
The currently vacant ground floor at the former Pet and Aqua Supplies store will remain available for retail use but with a slightly reduced floor space as there will be a new entrance door on the side of the building in Market Street, Pontypool with a small hallway for the flat also created.
Torfaen Borough Council planning officer Caroline Pulley stated in her report which approved the application: “The proposal would result in a small loss of retail floor space at ground floor level, this area, given its small size, would not materially affect the operation or functioning of the retail unit.”
The plans were changed following an objection from the council’s heritage officer at the original proposal to remove the oriel bay window, that protrudes from side of the building, and replace it with a door.
In response to the objection, it was agreed to keep the window, while the new door will now be to the side of the window.
A condition will require the new door to be made of timber. The heritage officer had said the original proposals would fail to “preserve or enhance the character or appearance” of the conservation area.
Ms Pulley also noted a simple conversion of an office space above a retail unit to residential use could be undertaken without planning permission and described the town centre location as “highly sustainable”.