Flats At Gym/Former Church Approved

Previously refused plans to convert an upstairs storage area for a gym on the site of a former Pembrokeshire town centre church, to a flat, have been given the go-ahead.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Gethin Beynon sought permission for a change of use of a second-floor storage area associated with the Synergy Health and Fitness Centre, Trinity Building, Meyrick Street, Pembroke Dock to residential accommodation.

The site was formerly the Bethel Baptist Church, in the town’s conservation area.

A previous 2021 application was refused on the grounds a balcony and roof lights would impact on the character and appearance of the building, and the conservation area, and “would result in a material and unacceptable increase in the levels of overlooking and would also result in the perceived overlooking of the private amenity areas of the dwellings immediately to the north and east of the site”.

The resubmitted application sought to address those reasons, with changes including a removal of the balcony to the north, a reduction in the number of velux windows, and amended designs.

A supporting statement said: “This amended design is not considered to result in a significant harmful overlooking impact and would reduce any overlooking perception to an acceptable level.

“With regard to amenity provision, this is limited, however given the proposal only forming a two-bedroom unit and having a sustainable location being in the Pembroke Dock settlement, with open space amenity provision and facilities being nearby the proposal would be acceptable.”

An officer report, recommending approval, said: “The development would provide new open market housing within the settlement boundary of the Hub Town of Pembroke Dock, resulting in positive environmental and social impacts through the appropriate reuse of the building and the increase in availability of varied accommodation in the local area and positive economic benefits through expenditure on building materials and on labour during constriction.”

The application was conditionally approved.

---

[donate]	Help keep news FREE for our readers Supporting your local community newspaper/online news outlet is crucial now more than ever. If you believe in independent journalism,then consider making a valuable contribution by making a one-time or monthly donation. We operate in rural areas where providing unbiased news can be challenging. Read More About Supporting The West Wales Chronicle