Plans for 24 town centre flats at disused site set to be decided

Plans to build 24 homes on a disused site in the centre of Abergavenny have been recommended for approval, despite concerns it could worsen parking problems.

The proposals seek to refurbish the existing structure, and demolish two outbuildings, to make way for 12 flats at the site on Brecon Road.

A further 12 new-build apartments are also proposed on land facing onto St Michael’s Road.

But the plans have been met with objections. Abergavenny and District Civic Society, Monmouthshire County Council’s highways team and Abergavenny Town Council has also recommended refusal.

A total of 14 parking spaces are proposed, below Monmouthshire County Council’s expectations for the size of the development which is 35.

A council report says: “The highway authority consider a 58 per cent shortfall in parking provision to be unacceptable for this location and will only lead to a significant increase in street parking stress in St Michael’s Road and other streets in reasonable proximity to the development.”

Although the site is located in “a reasonably sustainable location”, the council’s highways team said that there would be “insufficient capacity” available in the area.

These concerns were echoed in three objections made by residents in the area who said parking is already a “severe problem” on St Michael’s and Brecon Road.

Abergavenny and District Civic Society also say the development would ‘over-develop’ the site and cause “unacceptable problems for both the local area and for residents themselves.”

But a transport statement says there are around 45 spare on-street parking spaces within the surrounding area.

The level of car ownership for the development is also estimated to be less than 0.68 vehicles per household.

“It is considered that because of the specific circumstances of this case, it will be acceptable for the development not to meet the required parking standards normally applied,” the council report adds.

The site, located in the Abergavenny Conservation Area, does nothing to attract footfall to the area, the council report says.

“Indeed it could be argued that it does the opposite in its current state with hoardings around it,” the report adds.

Ten one-bedroom flats would be contained within the refurbished building and two two-bed flats, while the two-and-a-half storey new build would be eight two-bed flats and four two-bed flats.

The development is planned to be undertaken in partnership with Melin Homes and include 50 per cent affordable housing, above the 35 per cent requirement.

The council report adds: “The renovation of the existing buildings on Brecon Road will improve the appearance road frontage which should in turn improve the viability and vitality of the central shopping area.

“Additional dwellings in the area will also bring more people to the town centre which will have wider economic benefits.”

The application will be decided at a planning committee meeting on Tuesday, October 2.