PLANS to convert a Grade II listed building in the centre of Newport into 16 affordable flats have been given the green light.

Newport City Council’s Planning Committee approved the application to convert the upper floors of Gloucester Chambers at the corner of High Street and Skinner Street into 10 two-bedroom flats and six one-bedroom flats by six votes to one on Wednesday, February 3.

Although the plans won widespread support, Conservative member Cllr David Fouweather said he was concerned they did not include car parking spaces for any of the 16 flats.

“People have cars,” he said. “Where do visitors go when they come into the city centre?

“It’s not good enough that we are providing these flats and no parking at all.

“We shouldn’t even consider it.”

But committee chairman Cllr Paul Huntley said it was down to the new residents to consider whether this would be a problem for them.

“It’s a case of buyer beware if you buy a property like that and you have a car,” he said.

The flats on the first, second and third floor of the 19th-century building will be owned and managed by social housing body Seren Group.

Although the upper floors of the building housed a number of shops and businesses over 20th century, but has laid empty for a number of years.

To view the full plans visit newport.gov.uk and search for application 15/1276.