AN office building that has been vacant for six years is to be converted to a three-bedroom home.
Torfaen Borough Council’s planning department has given the go-ahead for the conversion with the only external alterations to the building at New Street in Pontnewydd, Cwmbran being the removal of the business sign above the front window, replacement of a rear window with bi-fold doors and installation of a bat box.
The former office is between the Pontnewydd Fish Bar and the Welsh Scent gift shop, and has been empty for six years according to information submitted by applicant Alpha Sierra Property.
Planning officer Mia McAndrew said the council’s planning policy supports the conversion of buildings to residential use where appropriate and which can provide space for cycle and bin storage and drying clothes.
Her report said residential use would support the viability of Pontnewydd’s commercial centre and offices aren’t considered to be key to an area.
‘Commercial units’
“The proposed residential use would diversify the uses in the centre, increase footfall in the area, provide housing for local residents and have minimal external alterations. The loss of commercial units in the centre is regrettable but this proposal would utilise the vacant property and offices are not considered to be a key facility in the neighbourhood centre.”
The council’s parking standards would normally require one parking space for each bedroom but Ms McAndrew said a sustainability and audit assessment had shown its central location, close to services, avoids the need for a private motor vehicle while the office use would have had a higher parking demand.
The back garden can provide suitable outdoor amenity space and accommodate clothes drying and bin and bike storage while it isn’t considered the neighbouring commercial units would have an unacceptable impact on the new home, and there were no objections from environmental health.
A flood risk consequence assessment was also included with the application as the garden and rear of the property are in flood zones for surface water and small watercourses.
It sets out protection measures including levels shouldn’t be lowered and use of flood-resistant materials that form conditions of the permission and that occupiers should be aware of the flood risk.