Thumbs up for redevelopment of former city club

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Planning officers have approved the ongoing refurbishment of the former Irish Club in Newport’s Commercial Road.

The redevelopment of the ground floor includes a function hall, a cafe or bar, and a multipurpose space including a dance studio.

A rear extension of the property was approved previously and has largely been completed.

Upstairs, two floors have been refurbished to provide 13 self-contained temporary accommodation units – each with their own kitchen facility and en suite bathroom.

The accommodation is being leased by Newport City Council and is reportedly provided to contractors working in the Newport area.

A council planning report notes the upper floors have “long been used to provide contractors’ accommodation”.

Planners judged the refurbished units, due to their small size, “would not be suitable as permanent residential accommodation”, but accepted their use is temporary and provides “much-needed” short-term lets.

According to the council report, the proposed opening hours for the ground-floor commercial areas are from 8am to 2am Monday to Saturday, and 8am to 1am on Sunday.

Council planning officers concluded the proposed commercial use of the redeveloped ground floor “is not considered to have an adverse impact on neighbouring occupiers over and above the long standing use as a workingmen’s club”.

Agents LRJ Planning, in a design statement submitted on behalf of applicant Liam McGoldrick, said the redevelopment would “provide much-needed enhanced accommodation including the overall upgrading and refurbishment of the property”.

The project is considered “car-free” due to its “sustainable location with easy access to a range of amenities, services and transport links”.

The agents added the mixed use of the former club would also “ensure a vibrant reuse of this vacant building”. They also said it would “improve the sense of place” and “enhance the character and appearance of the area”.

No members of the public objected to the proposals during a consultation period.

Planning permission was granted subject to several conditions, including that the upper floors must only be used as accommodation on a temporary basis until December 31, 2026 when the units must be vacated.