PLANS to build five flats in a building ravaged by fire last year in Newport have been submitted to the council’s planners.

Proposals to convert the derelict apartments in the Central Chambers building in Stow Hill had to be put on hold after a blaze ripped through it in November last year.

The Grade II listed three-storey building was left with fire damage and the application seeks to reinstate works that had been previously alluded to.

The application submitted to Newport City Council focuses on the two floors above the ground floor retail units. The retail units are outside the ownership of the applicants, Seren Housing.

A total of three one-bedroomed units have been proposed along with two two-bedroomed units with access only from the ground floor level on Stow Hill.

A full planning application is not needed by the applicant due to the proposals following requirements of the Local Development Order which grants conditional planning permission for specified uses in basements and in ground and upper floor units.

A planning document reads: “The proposals have no effect on the external appearance of the building within the Town Centre conservation area with the exception of minor enhancements to the rear elevation which is well hidden from the public realm and already largely altered.

“The proposals will also provide new and much-needed affordable housing accommodation to help compensate for a severe national shortage.”

The applicant has also referenced the requirement to incorporate affordable homes in Wales Design Quality Requirements (DQR)for existing and rehabilitating buildings.

There are 18 other listed buildings built in the mid-late 19th century within 100m of the Central Chambers building, which itself dates back to the 1890s.

The applicants are keen to preserve historic fabric “as far as possible” and to make new additions with a “minimal-intervention policy”.

If approved, the application also seeks to make changes to the single entrance at street level.

The front door will be equipped with intercom and mag-lock systems to protect residents, along with a CCTV system.