A community centre in Risca’s Ty Sign estate will be moved from its originally planned position following concerns about local objection.
Ty Sign Community Hall and Resource Centre’s plans for the development on Holly Road split opinion when it was approved last July.
But Caerphilly council’s planning committee has agreed to the charity’s proposals to move the site further into the Ty Sign estate and onto open space known as the Spar playing fields.
The building will have a main hall, lobby, meeting room, garden and a car park with 19 spaces, including two for disabled drivers.
It will primarily serve as the new home for the 5th Risca Scout Group and the Agape Community Church, both of which had previously called the Channel View community centre their home.
Scout group leader Gareth Tanswell told the committee on March 20: “There is a deep-rooted problem of delivering scouting in Risca as our current hall is in serious need of repair.
“The exterior walls are literally rotting away.
“This puts us in the middle of the estate, meaning members can easily walk to beavers, scouts and cubs. If residents want to use the hall for parties, they can.”
Concerns remained over the centre having a potential impact on the estate’s new skate park, which opened in February.
Youth worker Zoe Davies, who is also vice chair of the Play and Learn community group, urged the committee to conduct a site visit.
“When the skate park was built it had to be moved across due to the embankment starting to crumble,” said Ms Davies.
“If the building goes up it would be extremely close to the skate park, and we’ll lose a third of the playing field.”
But planning officer Tim Stephens was satisfied that there was adequate room between the proposed car park and skate park.