BLAENAU Gwent Council’s Planning Committee will decide this week whether to allow a former Abertillery pub be turned into a support centre for people with learning difficulties.

Scott Darling, who runs Caerphilly business Partnership of Care with wife Janine, wants planning permission to use the former Pendragon Inn, in Oak Street, Abertillery, as a support centre.

Partnership of Care, which was set up in 2003, currently provides community-based facilities for people with learning difficulties to meet and enjoy specialist and recreational activities.

The Pendragon Inn, on the junction of Oak Street and James Terrace/Station Hill was historically Abertillery Rugby Club before becoming a pub in 2000.

Now Mr and Mrs Darling want to change the use of the building from use as a public house to mixed use, as well as installing ramped access and a fence.

Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council received the planning application following an investigation the pub was already being used as a support centre – without permission.

The report said “it was confirmed that a change of use had occurred and that a timber ramp and fencing had been constructed at the rear of the property for which planning permission was required.” Eight full-time and seven part-time staff had been using the building as an administrative base.

If planning permission is granted, the centre will open from 9am to 5pm with occasional functions to be held for service users, staff training and charity events.

Some neighbours have objected over fears it “affect the amenity of nearby residents”, claiming planning permission would encourage anti-social behaviour and potentially turn the area into a “rubbish tip”.

One email said residents do not object to the premises being used as a facility for people with learning difficulties provided “the local council is not funding this premises as there is already sufficient support in the area”.

But the report responded to residents’ concerns and said a care facility “will have lesser impact and also brings a large prominent building back into beneficial use.”

The report, from the service manager development, recommended permission be granted. It will be discussed on March 5.