A FORMER doctor’s surgery last used as a Christian centre can be converted to a two-bedroom home.
The Mount Christian Centre, which is next door to the now disused Mount Pleasant Methodist Church and within Pontypool’s conservation area, was first built as a doctor’s surgery in the 1920s.
A planning application by Christain Williams, of Mamhilad, Pontypool seeking approval for the change of use from a Christian centre to a dwelling has been approved by Torfaen Borough Council’s planning department.
The single storey building remained in use as a surgery until the late 1990s when it became the Christian Centre.
A report by planning officer Tom Braithwaite stated while the plans would result in the loss of a Christian centre there is “sufficient provision of religious meeting spaces within Pontypool Town Centre”.
The property’s address is listed as Hanbury Road and one member of the public suggested the name should be changed to avoid confusion with a neighbouring property.
But Mr Braithwaite stated it isn’t within “planning control to ensure the name of the property is changed” but the applicant would be made aware of the issue when considering registering the property as a residential dwelling in the future.
All existing access will be retained, including a garage and driveway for one vehicle.
The only changes to the building will be to replace several windows while the existing front door will be blocked up and finished with coloured fibre cement vertical cladding and the side entrance will remain in use.
There will also be wheelchair access, from the existing driveway and ramps to the house.
All rooms will have doors wide enough for wheelchairs and there will also be an accessible toilet.