Formal plans lodged to convert former bingo hall into flats despite parking concerns in Welsh town

Nicholas Thomas, Local democracy reporter

Housing association Wales and West Housing has submitted formal plans to replace a nursery and a former bingo hall in Ystrad Mynach with 24 flats.

The firm argues there is a shortage of affordable housing in the town, and demolishing the buildings in Bedwlwyn Road would provide an “immediate opportunity to provide much-needed” homes.

Some residents have criticised the plans for a lack of off-street parking spaces, and said the redevelopment would worsen parking problems in the surrounding area.

Around 50 people attended a residents’ meeting in January to voice their concerns, including claims it is “naive” for the developer to think local streets could accommodate vehicles for 24 new homes.

Lindsay Whittle, the Senedd Member for Caerphilly, joined calls for a rethink of a project he said would “lead to parking problems elsewhere in Ystrad Mynach”.

Unsurprisingly, parking and traffic concerns were the common themes raised during a pre-application consultation period earlier this year.

But the developer has pushed back against those criticisms, and said there is “ample parking capacity available… in the vicinity of the site”.

In a report on the consultation outcomes, published by agents LRM Planning Ltd, the developer argues the new one-bedroom flats would each require a parking space – but this would be a lower demand than the current permitted use of the site.

The nursery and the closed bingo hall would, when fully open, require as many as 76 spaces to comply with planning guidance, the applicant said.

It also said car ownership in flats and social rented accommodation is “significantly lower than average” and it was “highly likely” the Bedwlwyn Road development would have “especially low car ownership levels, resulting in demand for parking generated by the development being very low”.

Amid concerns over a “car-free development”, the applicant added there are “excellent sustainable transport credentials, with multiple public transport services within walking distance”.

Members of the public will now be allowed to have a further say on the proposals.

The application is currently out for consultation, and can be viewed on the Caerphilly County Borough Council website under reference 26/0199/FULL.