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A disused block of public toilets in Newport is set to be transformed into a new cafe.
The toilets on Caerleon Road have been out of use for a “substantial” period of time and the new venture is expected to create two jobs.
Newport City Council’s planning department has granted applicant Zena Al-Ibrahim, of MS Property Maintenance, permission to overhaul the block of toilets and provide seating indoors and outdoors.
The plans show the existing building will be redeveloped to also include a kitchen, service counter and customer toilets.
Meanwhile, the outdoor seating area will be covered by a retractable canopy.
Mrs Al-Ibrahim was previously granted similar permission for a cafe on the site in 2024, but a supporting statement explained she now wants to open a smaller venture within the existing building’s footprint.
Her planning agent, at Dreamspace Design and Construction Ltd, argued the plans include a “practical and sustainable design” which “introduces outdoor seating to enhance customer experience”, and “respects the character of the area”.
A planning report shows the application received three objections, which mainly focused on concerns a new cafe would be one too many for the area and lead to increased competition.
But council planners downplayed concerns around an oversaturation of coffee shops in the neighbourhood, and said the proposed development would not “demonstrably affect the vitality and viability” of the local commercial centre.
They also concluded the balance between retailers and food and drink business would remain “acceptable”, and noted the proposals “would bring back into use a vacant plot”.