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A residential home in Pontllanfraith can be turned into a bed and breakfast business, Caerphilly councillors have decided.

Applicant Luke Gingell has proposed converting Gilwern House, in Newbridge Road, to a seven-room B&B and four rooms of emergency accommodation.

According to a Caerphilly County Borough Council planning report, temporary homeless accommodation is “sought after within the borough and would provide vulnerable people with a short-term solution”.

Planning officers also said a B&B would “allow the promotion of tourism” in the area.

“It is therefore considered that the proposal will assist with the provision of accommodation for vulnerable homeless people and contribute to increasing tourism, bringing opportunities for economic growth to the principal town of Blackwood,” they added.

At a meeting of the council’s planning committee, on Wednesday February 12, members heard no neighbours had lodged any objections to the proposed conversion.

The work will not involve any internal or external alterations to the property, but the committee was told an outdoor area of artificial lawn will be removed to allow for extra parking.

Cllr Shane Williams asked who would be accommodated in the B&B.

Carwyn Powell, a senior planning officer, said such accommodation types were usually “bookable by anybody” but said in this case “the indication from the developer is they have got a construction firm… so it could be used by their staff”.