200-year-old pub to be turned into offices

A town centre pub believed to be almost 200 years old has been granted permission for conversion into offices by council planners. The former Queen Victoria Inn in Blaenavon is thought to have been established in 1837 and appears on an 1840 Tithe map, but has stood empty since May 2024 and had been operating on reduced hours for the previous two years. Green Valley Care has now secured change of use approval to transform the pub, located on Prince Street, into offices and training facilities. Torfaen Borough Council planning officer Mia McAndrew explained that council planning policy outlines the criteria to be assessed when community facilities including public houses are lost, but submitted financial information demonstrates the pub is "no longer viable". Her report, which granted the change of use application, stated the policy requirements had been met as it was also evidenced it had been "actively marketed". Ms McAndrew said: "Whilst the loss of this prominent pub is regrettable, there are other establishments in the town centre to cater for the local community. "The proposed use would utilise the building and is likely to increase footfall in the centre. The change of use is therefore considered acceptable in principle." The pub signage will be taken down while a handrail will be fitted to the front of the property, which the council's heritage officer raised no concerns about but did request a satellite dish on the building's side is removed if no longer needed. The building sits adjacent to a council-owned public car park, and the proposal is unlikely to increase its use compared to the pub, while there is adequate public parking in the vicinity. Ms McAndrew also stated the transition from pub to offices is deemed "minor" in relation to Welsh planning policy on development in surface water and small water course flood zones and could be approved without a flood consequence assessment. We have previously reported on how people in Blaenavon have spoken about the need for the town to realise its potential as one of Wales' most famous places . And earlier this year the town's last hotel went to auction , although the auction was postponed. The Lion Hotel has been closed since January.