Mixed-use shop and flats at 21 Castle Street, Tredegar
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Blaenau Gwent Planning Committee on 4 Dec 2025.
The site and its setting
The vacant former bank occupies a corner plot in Tredegar town centre and the conservation area, surrounded by commercial and residential properties.
“The application site is situated at 21 Castle Street, which is within the settlement of Tredegar. The property was formerly used as Barclays Bank, however is currently vacant. The site occupies a corner plot bound by Castle Street to the front, Queen Victoria Street to the side (north west) and Upper Salisbury Street to the rear.”
Officer report
Earlier applications
An earlier application for removing bank fixtures was approved, while a lawful development certificate application for the ground-floor retail use remained under consideration.
“The application is being presented to Planning Committee due to it being called in by the Leader of the Council on behalf of Tredegar Ward Members (Cllr H Trollope and Cllr E Jones). Planning History…”
“P/2025/0283 Application for a Lawful development Certificate for proposed change of use from A2 (Financial/professional services) to A1 (Retail) Ground Floor Only Currently under consideration…”
Officer report
The officers’ recommendation
Officers recommended approval because the proposal would reuse a vacant property and would not harm the area, amenity, highways, services, infrastructure or ecology, subject to conditions.
“In summary, subject to conditions it is considered that change of use proposed and associated works would not have a detrimental impact on the character, appearance and amenity of the of the area, residential amenity, highway safety, services and infrastructure or ecology.”
“Considering the ongoing vacancy of the premises, it is considered that the proposed development would positively contribute to the area's vitality and viability. and it is recommended that planning permission be GRANTED subject to the following condition(s).”
Officer report
Consultation responses
Highways and Welsh Water raised no objections subject to conditions, ecology supported the proposal with safeguards, and the town council requested appropriate parking.
“Ecology: No objections subject to conditions and informatives.”
“External Consultation Responses Tredegar Town Council: No objection, subject to appropriate parking provision.”
Officer report
What people said
One objector cited insufficient parking, balcony safety and damage linked to past behaviour near the site; ward members sought clarity about the accommodation and C3 use.
“A response was received from the Leader of the Council on behalf of 2 Tredegar Ward Members. The response stated that given the significance of the site and the potential impact on the surrounding area, they are of the view that there are important issues that require Member scrutiny, particularly: • Clarity on the type of accommodation proposed – it is not clear whether the development is intended as private flats or some form of managed/residential…”
Officer report
The vote
Eight members supported the officer’s recommendation and one opposed it; Councillor Ellen Jones did not vote.
“Upon a vote being taken, 8 Members voted in favour of the officer’s recommendation and 1 Member voted against the officer’s recommendation. It was thereupon;”
“Councillor Ellen Jones did not take part in the vote.”
Minutes
The committee’s decision
The committee granted planning permission subject to the report’s conditions and delegated powers to clarify that the residential permission was for C3A use.
“RESOLVED that Planning permission be GRANTED, subject to the conditions detailed in the report, and delegated powers be granted to Planning Officers to amend conditions to clearly define the scope of the permission for C3A residential use.”
Minutes
Sources
- Blaenau Gwent Planning Committee minutes, 4 December 2025
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Blaenau Gwent's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Committee
- Blaenau Gwent Planning Committee
- Council
- Blaenau Gwent
- Date
- Thursday 4 December 2025
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended approval
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Vote
- 8 for, 1 against
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- View application →
- All decisions
- Blaenau Gwent committee decisions →
Source: Plota analysis of the minutes.
This committee's year
7 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.