PERMISSION for another flat conversion in Caldicot’s main pedestrianised shopping centre has been granted by planners.
The proposals will retain a commercial use on the ground floor of Number Seven Wesley Buildings with permission granted to change the use of the first floor offices to one self-contained two-bedroom flat.
Wesley Buildings is the large, modern shopping complex the dominates the western end of the pedestrian part of the town centre and planning permission for first floor residential use has recently been granted on the adjacent units at Four, Eight and Nine.
Monmouthshire County Council planning officer Kate Young said in a report, that approved the application by Mr O Denby, the authority’s planning policies support reusing vacant buildings.
Her report stated: “The conversion of vacant upper floors into residential use is consistent with the objectives of the Development Plan to steer new residential development towards the urban areas and overall the council encourages the use of upper floors in town centres to be used for residential purposes.
“Not only is this a sustainable location but residential use can add to the vitality and viability of the town centre.”
The town centre location, with bus and rail links within walking distance, is also considered sustainable and although the council’s parking guidelines suggest two parking spaces should be provided Ms Young said there are public car parks nearby, including one behind it, and it would be “unreasonable” to expect designated parking spaces in a town centre location.
The area is within a sea risk flood zone but as the flat, which is “the highly vulnerable element of the scheme”, is above ground level Natural Resources Wales is satisfied it is elevated from any risk while the continued ground floor use is considered to be “less vulnerable” than residential.
Minor external alterations including a new door on the back wall and bicycle and bin storage area have also been approved.
