A historic Grade II listed building in Neath town centre is a step closer to be given a new lease of life.
Neath Port Talbot Council has applied for planning permission to redevelop 8 Wind Street - a Grade II listed building - to provide new office accommodation.
The building has been vacant for more than 13 years and the refurbishment will be sympathetic to CADW requirements.
The council hopes the new offices - which will be part of the redevelopment of Neath town centre - will help create jobs and business opportunities as well as attracting economic investment to the area.
In a statement, Neath Port Talbot Council: " The scheme will also allow a small amount of onsite parking to complement the proposed office use.
"The building is located towards the top of Wind Street in Neath town centre and is surrounded by retail outlets on either side in what is the main retail area in Neath.
"The planned new office complex at 8, Wind Street is part of ambitious redevelopment proposals for the centre of Neath which include a brand new swimming pool and leisure centre, providing modern facilities and boosting footfall in the town."
The building - which was rebuilt in 1868 but dates back to the 18th century - has previously been used as a registrar’s office and council offices.
Councillor Annette Wingrave, the council's cabinet member for regeneration and sustainable development, said: ”The work will bring an iconic building within the town centre back in to use and help to support the regeneration of the town centre.
“The main principle for the alterations at 8, Wind Street is to return this well known, vacant building back into an asset and to return the building to use in the current market.”
The council is currently redeveloping the town centre and, as part of this, the new pool and leisure centre will replace the current, ageing facilities at nearby Dyfed Road.
This will be accompanied by six new retail units which will complement the existing town centre multi-storey car park and the Gwyn Hall leisure and arts facility.
