Demolition for ‘eyesore’ building in homes plan

A RHONDDA building which was badly damaged in a fire and left empty for years will be demolished to make way for houses.

Rhondda Cynon Taf council’s planning and development committee voted in favour of knocking down the former Clydach Vale Workingmen’s Club on Howard Street to build 12 houses.

The buildling was damaged by a severe fire in 2013 and has been left derelict ever since with significant damage done to the roof structure and internal fabric.

This application was for reserved matters such as access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale after the outline application was approved following appeal in 2015.

The initial application was rejected by committee because of concerns over the effect the development might have on the surrounding community but that decision was overturned on appeal. However this time round, no objections to the plan were received by the council.

Councillor Gareth Hughes said at the meeting: “This is a large eyesore. Any sort of development would be an improvement.”

The houses will be built in two terraces of six and officers have said that the use of the site for residential development will be in-keeping with the existing residential character of the area and that the houses will not overlook or have an overbearing impact on neighbouring houses.

No social housing provision will be provided as officers say this would not be viable and no community infrastructure levy (CIL) will be paid because it lies in an area where no charge is applicable.