A DERELICT toilet block which was spectacularly transformed into a performance space is now ready to open - after all planning conditions were met.

The Victorian gentlemen's toilet block, in Pill, Newport, was considered an eyesore by residents for decades.

But that changed after new owner Janet Martin spent an eye-watering £40,000 to convert the site into The Phyllis Maud Performance Space.

South Wales Argus:

Mrs Martin was granted planning permission last year - but it was subject to conditions, meaning they needed to be met in order for her to open the site.

And she has now revealed the site is "ready to go".

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"We will be officially opening in April," she said.

"I am so relieved that all the conditions have been ticked off so we can open.

"When we do open there will be a variety of performances. And most importantly James Smith, who once cleaned the former toilet block, is going to be officially opening it. He also knew my Aunt Phyllis, who the performance space is named after."

South Wales Argus:

Despite her announcement, Mrs Martin has slammed some of the conditions she needed to meet as "ridiculous".

"It has not been a straightforward process," said the Newport resident.

"There were lots of problems I was presented with.

"One of those was the planning inspectors not being happy with certain materials and designs - for instance on the railings. Some of the conditions were ridiculous.

"If I had not come across these problems then the performance space would have opened back last year.

"I am still very angry at what has happened."

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A Newport City Council spokeswoman said: "Planning and listed building consent has been granted for the use of the building as a performing arts space and for the related alterations to the listed building.

"Ms Martin was aware and agreeable that these permissions were conditional upon gaining approval for a variety of different details, mostly technical.

"However despite this, Ms Martin continued with the conversion works and undertook work without the relevant authorisation.

"Council officers have worked extensively with Ms Martin and a number of her agents to obtain the necessary details to resolve any issues, and will continue to provide support in addressing any outstanding concerns."

The Phyllis Maud Performance Space has an audience capacity of 25 and it will officially open on Sunday, April 14.