Listed building consent has been obtained by planners who want to open up a network of underground vaults in Newport. LoftCo won approval for dining rooms, a yoga studio, a tattoo parlour and a games arcade in the vaults below Newport Market in the city centre in July, but listed building consent remained outstanding.
Now approval has been granted work can begin on the vaults to transform the dingy looking space into a commercial hub which will undoubtedly attract inquisitive visitors, but that work cannot start until further funding is received. The vaults, which were said to once be used for livestock and to even imprison criminals, have never been open to the public, according to planning documents.
The space consists of a central corridor with rooms either side, stair access at either end of the corridor which lead to the market, and most of the rooms have arched doorways with iron railings. There were concerns from historic building conservationists that the plans would harm the vaults’ character if those iron railings were removed.
READ MORE: Residents say homes being 'turned into slums' as another big HMO in Newport is approved
Those concerns have now been rectified. Out of 15 sets of railings and gates four will be removed, but will be stored and could be reinstated.
The final report reads: “As highlighted in the Heritage Impact Statement and by some amenity bodies, the archway openings and existing gates and railings have high significance and as should be retained. A number of amended plans have been submitted and the applicant has worked with the council’s Historic Building Conservation Officer to propose a scheme which now retains the majority of railings and gates.”
LoftCo does not know when work will begin because the company is awaiting Welsh Government funding for a significant portion of the project. Due to those delays, there is no target date for completion.
When work begins it will include refurbishment throughout, installation of pipework throughout, as well as ventilation and heating systems. All iron grilles and doors and other features and fixtures will be retained.
It is hoped that the plans will “enhance the overall offering of the market” which reopened in February following its own huge revamp. Said to be the largest market development in Europe, the new market includes a food court and bar on the ground floor, 70 workspaces, refurbished market stalls, a gym and a rooftop garden. You can see pictures of how Newport Market has changed over the years here.
READ NEXT:
- Four shops in same area shut down for selling illegal cigarettes
- Man dies at Festival Park in Ebbw Vale after police, paramedics and firefighters rush to beauty spot
- Police want to speak to this pair about 'offensive comments' made to a dog walker
- Nobody willing to run Welsh pub after brewery banned mobile phones, music, TVs and swearing
