CONTENTIOUS plans to transform a disused leisure centre into a Christian retreat have been thrown out by city councillors.

The proposals sought to convert Underwood Leisure Centre, in Llanmartin, into a community and conference facility which included four residential suites for those using the building.

Since closing in April 2013 the centre has had a troubled existence, with police discovering that criminals had been using the derelict building to grow cannabis.

More than 2,600 plants, with an estimated worth of £1.6 million, had been found at the site in 2014.

In 2016, the run-down building was purchased by GLY Organisation who had submitted the planning application to Newport City Council.

But councillors agreed to refuse the application on the recommendation of council planning officers, who had raised concerns about the provision of accommodation for a caretaker and people using the facility.

They had also said that the residential development would be built outside of the settlement boundary, which would go against council planning policies.

A council report states: “It has not been established that there is functional need for residential accommodation to support the enterprise and there is no exceptional justification for it in this rural area.

“Similarly, the proposed residential suites are considered to go beyond what can reasonably be considered ancillary to the main use of the building as a leisure/community facility and are unacceptable.”

Council documents also describe the building as being in a “poor state of repair” and that it has “a history of attracting anti-social behaviour.”

A report added: “In this respect the re-use of the building is welcomed in principle subject to all other relevant considerations.”

The fact that the centre is located in a flood zone was also a point of contention against the application, with an officer report describing it as a “highly vulnerable development”.

It also said: “The development has a significant adverse effect on interests of acknowledged importance, namely safety and residential amenity, by reason of the site’s location in Flood Zone C2.”

In the report, Llanwern ward member Cllr Martyn Kellaway had described GLY Organisation’s plans for the former leisure centre as “overoptimistic”.

He added: “Although supportive of any proposals that are said to be for the benefit of the community I am unconvinced this is the right plan for Underwood or the applicant”.