THE future of one of Newport's most historic buildings, which is today little more than ruins, remains uncertain after redevelopment plans were thrown out.

The Grade II-listed former Lawns Club in Maindee, has stood empty for decades and has slowly fallen victim to fire and vandalism.

And earlier this month a planning application by owner Shahid Mahmood to restore the dilapidated 19th century building in Kensington Grove and convert it into two flats with a total of 14 bedrooms, as well as build two new houses on the site, was thrown out by Newport City Council.

In its decision notice the council said the development would have "a demonstrable adverse effect" on the building and "no justification or information/detail has been provided that w ould mitigate this objection".

It also said the development was not in keeping with the surrounding Conservation Area and could damage trees and bat habitats in the area, while failing to include any affordable housing.

Residents living in the surrounding area had also expressed a number of concerns over the plans, including the lack of parking and impact on traffic, a potential increase in anti-social behaviour and the affect on a nearby communal garden.

In 2003 permission was granted to covert the building into two flats and build two new houses on the site, but building work never began. The same year the building was seriously damaged in a fire, with part of it collapsing.

In 2006 the council blocked an application to demolish the derelict building entirely, a decision which was upheld by a planning inspector, and two separate planning applications in 2009 and 2016 to convert the building into two homes were also refused.

Mr Mahmood said he was holding meetings with the council to determine how the building could be preserved or redeveloped.

"We'll see what happens," he said. "I'm in discussions with the council about what we can do with it.

"But they seem to have a negative attitude towards us."

A council report said: "The merits of the proposals which include the restoration of the listed building and new dwellings within the urban area are duly noted.

"However, the application is lacking in sufficient detail to enable the local planning authority to determine the impact of the proposals on the special character of the listed building and conservation area.

"Furthermore, insufficient information has been provided to demonstrate that the proposal will not have an adverse effect on European protected species or on trees and due to the failure of the applicant to agree to the financial obligations, the proposals would have an unacceptable impact on local infrastructure."

Newport City Council declined to comment further.

The former club was granted listed status in 1997 as "a good example of an Italianate villa".