Creative hub planned for former estate agent’s office

A former estate agent’s office will be used as a shop as well as a creative and wellbeing space and artist’s studio. 

The plans for the former David James office, known as Portwall House at the corner of Bank Street in Chepstow, were submitted by Eva Thyghoj of Koxy & Co in Bridge Street. 

Monmouthshire County Council planning officer Jo Draper said as no structural changes were proposed to the building used by the estate agent which has relocated the application was only for change of use and had to be considered against policies intended to protect the county’s central shopping areas. 

But Ms Draper said as the plan for the ground floor is to change from A2 planning class, which covers financial and professional services, to A1 which is retail is considered an “improvement”. 

On the first floor the change from B1 office business to D2 community use, as a a creative and wellbeing space, fits the council’s policy as it is considered it will “add to the vitality” of the town centre. 

Use of the upper floor office as a studio and workshop is covered by the same existing B1 business use. 

There were no objections received by the council to the change of use of the building which is in the Chepstow Conservation Area.