A PLANNING application to convert part of a restaurant into a block of flats is still being considered by Torfaen County Borough Council.

Chinese restaurant Oriental Gardens II, on Station Road, Pontnewydd, closed its doors to the public last year.

Questions on the site’s future have since circulated.

But in January, an application was submitted to the council by Cwmbran-based company Sky City UK Ltd to to convert the restaurant’s first floor into three one-bedroomed flats.

The first floor had once been used as a kitchen for the restaurant.

Mark Tutton, who is acting as an agent for Sky City UK Ltd, believes should the plan be given the go-ahead it would be a “good thing”.

He said: “The restaurant will be re-opening and it will probably remain a Chinese.

“There is already one flat on the top floor and it has been there for a while.

“But now there is a plan for another three on the floor below it.

“I think having affordable homes is always a good thing.”

Mr Tutton added that the restaurant will “soon” be re-opening.

Pontnewydd residents have reacted with mixed views to the submitted plan.

Former teacher Frieda Spencer, who lives in Trinity Road, said: “If it is not put to some use then it will end up getting vandalised.

“You often hear people moaning that there are not enough homes but the plan will create more.”

And Pontnewydd resident Sarah Vaughan added: “It would be a waste for part of the building to not be put to use.”

However, other residents were opposed to the plan, largely for traffic fears.

Tom Morgan said that more properties would add to traffic in Pontnewydd Village.

“The village is dreadful at certain times of the day,” said Mr Morgan.

“There are a lot of cars that speed through the village and it is dangerous.

“More homes will make the village’s problems worse.”

And Mr Morgan’s partner, Ffion, added: “The plan is like Marmite.

“For some people having more homes is going to be great. For me, it means there will be more traffic and I can think of better things to go on the ground floor than a restaurant.

“In fact, I think we have way too many takeaways and restaurants in Pontnewydd.”

The application is currently being considered by Torfaen council.