Plans Submitted to Convert Industrial Unit in Cwmbran to Martial Arts Facility

PLANS to convert a light industrial unit to a commercial martial arts facility have been submitted to a council. 
Information with the application states the unit, on Cwmbran’s Springvale Industrial Estate, has been empty since the end of December 2025. 
Owain Parry, who lives at Five Locks Close, in Pontnewydd, Cwmbran has asked Torfaen Borough Council for change of use planning permission to use Unit 52 as a commercial martial arts facility offering classes. 
Plans show floor mats would be fitted throughout the unit, other than in the office and storage areas and toilets near the entrance, while the mezzanine level would also be used as a gym area. 
The centre would employ two members of staff, supported by five volunteers, and classes would be held from 5pm to 9pm Monday to Friday and from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays as well as bank holidays. 
Bird and bat boxes, to be installed on the outside of the building, have been proposed to meet the requirement to achieve a net benefit for biodiversity with the application confirming the proposal is to reuse an existing building within an established industrial estate. No significant expansion of the developed footprint is proposed with no identified loss of habitat. 
The application also states the martial arts facility will provide opportunities for physical activity and bring a vacant building back into use. 
A statement in support of the application reads: “The proposed development will bring an existing commercial/industrial building into active use for a recreational and community focused activity.  
“The martial arts facility will provide opportunities for physical activity, recreation and social interaction. These benefits are consistent with the wider objectives of sustainable placemaking and improving health and well-being.” 
No changes to the area surrounding the unit are proposed meaning there would be no loss of trees or vegetation with the statement concluding the application is consistent with relevant national and local planning policies. 
The plans are being considered by the council’s planning department and members of the public have until Tuesday, November 3 to comment.  ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

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By BBC LDRS ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​