PLANS to transform a former supermarket site left derelict for a decade in the heart of Blackwood have been approved.

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s planning committee granted the plans for the site in Market Place, which is set to become two new shops as well as a leisure centre under the Simply Gym brand.

Applicant Blackmarsh Properties put in plans for the former Somerfield store, which shut its doors in 2007, last year, and intend to divide the existing 1,978 sq m site into three smaller units, with the gym being the largest at 929 sq m.

Councillors expressed their joy at the plans being passed.

They also said they felt adjustments made will appease the eight people who objected out of 19 neighbouring properties and commercial premises consulted.

Cllr Nigel Dix said: “I’m so delighted as it’s been a blot on the landscape and for years. I have had residents asking me what’s going on with the site, which being under private ownership has been something we have been unable to change.

“Amendments to the site were looked at as there were fears of a 24 hour gym and its effect on boy racers in the car parks by some but I am happy that Blackwood is continually attracting new businesses on merit.”

Planning committee member Cllr Patricia Cook added: “I am really pleased, we need something like this development in Blackwood. We spoke to officers prior to the meeting about the objections and we haven’t had anyone speak against it being passed.”

Fears expressed in the public consultation focused on the gym, and whether all-night hours would “encourage a late night ‘boy racer’ element back into Blackwood” and “anti-social behaviour in the car park associated with the development”.

But all six conditions demanded of the application were met, including the gym’s opening hours being limited to 6am-11pm Monday to Saturday, and 6am-10pm on Sundays.

A spokesman for Blackmarsh Properties said that if the 11pm closing time resulted in anti-social behaviour in the car park “this would be a police matter”.

He added: “The subdivision of the former supermarket will help to create space suitable for a variety of modern retail formats, to attract brands that will complement the existing tenant profile at the Market Place.

“The key aim is to regenerate the dilapidated building in order to provide a complementary shopping and leisure scheme.”