36 affordable apartments at Tredegar Junction Hotel, Pontllanfraith, Blackwood

What was proposed

The application proposed 36 one-bedroom affordable apartments with parking, landscaping, drainage, cycle and refuse storage, and associated works.

“Description and Location of Development: Erect residential development consisting of 36 affordable apartments, landscaping, car parking, drainage and associated works - Tredegar Junction Hotel Commercial Street Pontllanfraith Blackwood NP12 2JY”

“Development: The proposed development is for the construction of an apartment block of 36 residential units and associated car parking, landscaping and ancillary works. The proposed building is of a contemporary design, utilising distinct blocks with differing materials and heights, however all connected as a singular building. The building has flat roofs, large fenestration and balconies.”

Officer report

The site

The site contained a fire-damaged public house and vacant land beside Commercial Street, with residential, commercial and highway uses around it.

“Location: The application property is located on the eastern side of Commercial Street at the junction of Gelligroes Road, Pontllanfraith.”

“Site description: The site measures approximately 0.15 hectares and comprises of a fire damaged public house with vacant land to the side and rear. The building is 2 storeys in height from Commercial Street at the front and 3 storeys in height at the rear.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier permissions covered flats, houses and apartments, while demolition of the former hotel was granted separately in December 2025.

“PLANNING HISTORY 2010 TO PRESENT 12/0787/FULL - Convert former public house into 7 No. flat units (change of use) including demolition of southern single-storey annexe and construct 6 No. new terraced houses to include new site access road, car parking, external works and landscaping - Granted 03.10.13.”

“16/0255/NMA - Seek approval of a non-material amendment to planning consent 12/0787/FULL (Convert former public house into 7 No. flat units (change of use) including demolition of southern single-storey annexe and construct 6 No.”

Officer report

Residents’ concerns

Five objections questioned affordability, local services, the building’s size, parking, property values, listing and privacy.

“Extent of advertisement: The application was advertised in the press, by means of a site notice and neighbour notification letters.”

“Summary of observations: The following is provided in response to the objections raised: Affordable homes are not affordable. Local services are already stretched to their limits. The building is too high and too big. There isn't enough parking in the site. Surrounding homes would be devalued. The Tredegar Junction Hotel is listed. The balconies result in a loss of privacy and direct overlooking.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke in support of the application.

The vote

Members unanimously supported the recommendation, with 13 votes for, no votes against and no abstentions.

“Following consideration of the application it was moved and seconded that, subject to the additional condition and the conditions contained in the Officer’s report, the recommendation be approved. By way of Microsoft Forms (and in noting there were 13 For, 0 Against and 0 Abstentions) this was unanimously agreed.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was deferred for a Section 106 agreement securing 25% affordable housing, after which permission was granted subject to conditions.

“(i) (A) the application be DEFERRED to allow the applicants to enter into a Section 106 Obligation to provide the following:-”

“On completion of the Section 106 Obligation that (B) planning permission be GRANTED subject to additional condition (19) and the conditions contained in the Officer’s report. If the obligation is not completed within three months of the resolution to approve, that the Planning Services Manager be granted delegated powers to refuse the application for failure to comply with Policy CW11 of the Caerphilly County Borough Local Development Plan up to 2021 - Adopted November 2010.”

Minutes

Additional condition

An added condition requires approval of details for any external or roof-mounted plant, including its location and predicted noise levels.

“Additional Condition 19 In the event of any external or roof mounted plant/machinery being required, prior to its installation, details of all external and roof mounted plant/machinery associated with the application shall be submitted to and agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority. These details shall include the location of the plant and predicted noise levels (measured as a LAeq 1 hour) as measured on the boundary of the application site.”

Minutes