Newport's £12m market transformation officially gets the green light

Plans for a £12 million redevelopment of Newport’s historic Market have been given the green light by city councillors.

The redevelopment will introduce a food court and bar to the ground floor, create a workspace hub and offices, alongside 42 affordable apartments and a refurbished market.

Developers Loft-Co have said it is thought to be the largest mixed-use redevelopment of a market in the UK.

Planning permission, and listed building consent, was approved at a Newport City Council planning committee meeting on Wednesday.

Simon Baston, managing director of Loft-Co, said the scheme provides “a distinct regeneration opportunity”, creating more than 200 new jobs and opportunities for 40 new businesses.

“We want to move to a future position ensuring longevity and most importantly sustainability, a low carbon footprint and the market’s survival for hundreds of years to come,” he said.

Mr Baston said the redevelopment could be completed in under one year.

He said Loft-Co is developing various areas inside the building for a children’s soft play area, venues, weddings hire, a rooftop bar and an area for a community centre.

The scheme includes 100 per cent affordable accommodation, a minimum of 30 units for existing traders, with space for new businesses, and a gym.

Cllr John Guy was among those to support the plan, saying it was necessary to “move with the times”.

“The younger generation work in a different sort of way, so we have got to have other attractions to survive,” he said.

However councillor Charles Ferris said he was concerned the development would reduce the Grade II-listed market to “a shadow of its former self”.

Cllr Val Dudley said that although affordable housing is needed, the city centre location is an “attractive proposition for luxury flats”.

“I feel we are losing an opportunity here to create something better,” she said.

The planning committee heard that controversy has recently arisen over plans to cover a stained glass window on the first floor with a company logo using a covered film.

Cllr Miqdad Al-Nuaimi said the proposal would mean visitors would not be able to enjoy the “historic feature”.

A condition of the listed building consent says full details of the proposal must be submitted prior to any work carried out on the window.