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Search the Public Notice PortalA HOUSING association has lodged plans with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council to build 25 affordable homes, including two blocks of flats, on the site of a former primary school in Ebbw Vale.
The application has been made by Tai Hedyn Ltd and is for the former Willowtown Primary School site on Brynheulog Street.
The proposal includes knocking down the buildings, including one formerly used as a boxing/gym club, which are still there.
Planning agent Liam Griffiths-Downing of Asbri Planning Ltd explained the proposal in a design and access statement.
Mr Griffiths-Downing said: “The application site comprises previously developed brownfield land within the north of Ebbw Vale, directly adjacent to the new Willowtown Primary School.
“The site is allocated within the adopted Local Development Plan (LDP) for 22 homes.”
He explained that a “pre-application consultation” on the proposal took place in June, which included an “engagement event” at the new Willowtown Primary School where locals were given the opportunity to look at the proposal and ask questions of the development team.
Mr Griffiths-Downing continued: “The scheme will deliver a mixture of housing unit types to cater for the area’s housing needs.”
The proposal would see two blocks of flats built to provide 12 one-bedroom units, 10 two-bedroom semi-detached houses and three three-bedroom semi-detached houses.
Mr Griffiths-Downing said: “The various property types are dispersed across the development, to encourage interaction between a mix of tenures, backgrounds and demographics.
“At the time of adoption in 2012, the LDP recognised the former Willowtown Junior School building was used for community purposes, but in allocating the site for residential development the details did not specifically remark on the retention of the building.
“It is understood the existing former boxing gym building is now in disrepair, and significant work is needed to bring it up to standard.
“The building has recently been declared surplus to requirements by Blaenau Gwent council, who have found alternative premises for the boxing gym; this decision was taken by the LPA as the costs of refurbishing the building meant its retention was not financially viable.”
Mr Griffiths-Downing believed the loss of the building is outweighed by the benefits of providing 100 per cent new affordable housing and a sustainable drainage basin to help manage surface run-off within the development.
A decision on the application is expected by November 4.
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