Apartment block for over-55s given planning permission

An apartment block for over-55s is set to be built in a “prime location” on the edge of Caerphilly town centre.

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s planning committee has approved plans for 29 apartments on Crescent Road, near Caerphilly Castle.

The apartments will be located on the site of the derelict Llys Ifor office building, which will be demolished prior to development.

In a planning committee meeting on Wednesday, November 10, Councillor John Ridgewell, who represents Ynysddu, said future residents will have “superb views”.

Pontllanfraith councillor Mike Adams said the building is in a “sorry state”, while Aber Valley councillor John Taylor described it as an “ugly building”.

The plans include 15 one-bedroom apartments and 14 two-bedroom apartments specifically for people who aged 55 and above.

The ground floor of the  building will have a scooter and bike store,  as well as a bin store.

Additionally, the design and access statement said the developer, The Caerphilly Development Company, hopes a café or similar retail company will occupy an area on the ground floor.

The statement said the building had been empty “for a while”.

The application received one objection from a resident, who said the building was too big and there was a lack of parking.

There will be 14 parking spaces behind the building, meeting parking standards.

Part of the current Crescent Road car park will be leased by the council to provide space for parking.

Cllr Ridgewell said the only thing he thought was missing from the plans were balconies for the apartments, so that residents could enjoy the view.