PLANS to turn a former Pontardawe pub in to flats and commercial units have been given the go-ahead by Neath Port Talbot Council.
The approval could now see the former Kitty’s Free-house based on James Street, Pontardawe converted to hold three ground floor commercial units as well as five residential flats.
The late-night pub was once well known in the town and surrounding areas to those who wanted to party until the early hours of the morning, before it’s eventual closure in 2022.
It is part of what has been viewed as a wider decline of night-life in the Swansea Valley town, alongside the closure of other local pubs and clubs such as the Dynevor Arms and Bar 98.
A report on the approved plans said: “The current proposal seeks to renovate and convert the existing property into 3no. commercial units and 5no.flats.
“The development will be respectful of the existing context by retaining existing volume and materials matching the existing ones, preserving the building’s appearance on the street scene.”
It added: “The proposed commercial units with flats conversion would provide an improvement for the neighbourhood since frequent complaints from residents affected by noise from the pub were received by local authorities.
“Several pubs and bars are present in town. The closest place is the neighbour building – Ponty Cafe.
“The new layout seeks to improve and maximize the space for future occupants, offering contemporary flats and amenity space.”
These were given the green-light by the local authority in December 2025 as part of planning officers delegated decisions.
They will also include the demolition of existing rear and side extensions allowing for the construction of a new two storey rear extension, together with bike store, bin enclosure, and bike racks.
Applicants at Bos Properties LTD will now have five years to begin development of the project with the plans also subject to a section 106 agreement.
