Minor Changes Proposed for Public Toilet Block Conversion in Pontypool to Restaurant

MINOR changes to the front façade of a public toilet block being converted to a restaurant in Pontypool have been proposed. 
Scaled back plans for the conversion of the toilet block were approved in April by Torfaen Borough Council’s planning committee. 
It was the fourth time the plans had been before members of the committee due to several redesigns to keep the project, which also includes the conversion of a derelict church to an events venue and refurbishment of a nearby multi-storey car park, within a £10.5 million budget, funded by the UK Government and private finance. 
The latest changes propose a “dwarf wall” on Hanbury Road alongside an entrance to an extension to the side of the existing toilet block that will form the new restaurant and café. The small wall will match the existing adjacent boundary wall and provide partial screening of the entrance and access ramp from the pavement. 
The other changes are the partial demolition and rebuilding, at a reduced height, of the existing boundary wall to accommodate the proposed extension to the toilet block while new railings and posts to the rebuilt sections of boundary wall would match the design and appearance of the existing railings. 
Torfaen Borough Council’s planning department is considering the requested changes described as non-material, or not significant, amendments to the planning permission approved in April. 
The application has been submitted on behalf of the council’s economy and place department. 
A second application, on behalf of the department, has also been submitted asking the planning department to accept it, and architects Tilbury Douglas, have met the requirements of two conditions attached to the April planning permission. 
Those are that full details of all external architectural elements have been submitted along with the design for plant equipment to be stored on the roof of the existing toilet block, which will be concealed from street level views by the slightly raised roof. 
The architectural details are required to ensure a “high-quality finish” to preserve the character and appearance of the Pontypool Conservation Area. 
Both applications are being considered by the planning department and the application have been submitted by Cardiff-based agents The Urbanists on behalf of the council.  ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

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