Plans have been granted to turn an old pub in Newport into 21 flats - despite attracting a wave of criticism from residents.
Planning permission has been granted to demolish what was Ye Olde Oak Stave Pub on Ruskin Avenue in Rogerstone.
Replacing it will be three blocks of flats, each containing seven two-bedroom apartments.
The plans had previously been deferred by the city council’s planning committee in December “to allow further time to consider whether the planning contributions should be varied”. The plans have proven controversial, with more than 70 objections to the proposals put forward by DSI Ltd.
The original proposal had 24 flats but this was reduced to 21 after concerns over scale. Most of the objections centred around traffic worries during morning and evening rush hours.
The road is already used by parents dropping children off at Mount Pleasant Primary School.
Councillor Chris Evans was one of the objectors. He said: “This proposed development will significantly increase traffic turning into Squires Gate, as this is the proposed entrance to the main residents’ car parking area. Approximately 50 extra cars for residents and then the added number for visitor, deliveries etc could nearly double the number of vehicles turning onto the estate.
“The road leading into Squires Gate will effectively become a public car park given the flat visitors with nowhere to park and the displaced parking for the school at school times.
“All these extra cars parking will cause bottlenecks in an already narrow road, increase the likelihood of minor collisions between vehicles, and increase significant road safety issues for children, and increase pollution.”
Most recently, the space was occupied by the Seasons Coffee Shop, which spent more than two years trading at the site.
Councillor Yvonne Forsey also opposed the plans, citing concerns around waste management among other things.
“The location for rubbish and recycling bins is too small, there is only a single bin area for all three blocks,” she said.
“This will become an area that everyone is responsible for which in the end becomes no-one is responsible and will just be a mess. There needs to be one rubbish and recycling area for each block of flats. This is a totally unsuitable proposal for this area.”
Documents show that the flats are set to be laid out on ground and first floors, along with one in each attic, while a parking area in the centre of the blocks will provide spaces for
As part of the application, a Section 106 contribution of £44,367 is being made to upgrade and maintain playground facilities at Cefn Wood.
To get the latest email updates from WalesOnline click here.
