El prestigiós Castell Y Bwch Inn de Newport rep llum verda per a una gran expansió amb dos impressionants blocs d'allotjament i una revolucionària reforma de l'aparcament.

Dijous, maig 8, 2025

El Castell Y Bwch Inn està a punt de transformar-se en un hotel boutique amb l'aprovació de dos nous i impressionants blocs d'allotjament, cosa que marcarà un pas important en la seva expansió.

The Castell Y Bwch Inn, a quaint country pub nestled in Henllys, Newport, has received approval to build two new accommodation blocks, ending a lengthy two-year planning battle. Located along a peaceful lane connecting Cwmbran to Risca and Bettws, the pub has long sought to diversify its services, aiming to offer guests a boutique hotel experience. The planning application, submitted in February 2023, outlined plans to create two accommodation blocks with a total of 13 new bedrooms—eight in one block and five in the other—on the grounds of the pub.

However, the road to approval was fraught with challenges. The initial application faced multiple objections from the Henllys Community Council and local residents. Concerns were raised about the potential for increased traffic along the narrow, rural lanes that surround the pub. Henllys is a peaceful village, and the influx of visitors to the pub’s proposed accommodation raised fears of congestion and accidents. Additionally, local residents expressed concerns about the social implications of the development, including noise disturbances and an increase in drink-driving incidents. To complicate matters, the pub had previously violated planning regulations, with unauthorized decking and other breaches of planning permission, leading to the local planning authority issuing an enforcement notice. These issues caused delays in the planning process, and the pub was asked to revise its proposals accordingly.

Despite these setbacks, the Castell Y Bwch Inn was ultimately granted planning permission for the revised proposal. The new plans feature two accommodation blocks designed to complement the pub’s traditional aesthetic, with pitched roofs that blend seamlessly into the countryside. The smaller block, situated at the rear of the pub, will measure 11.5 meters in length and have a roof height of 4.5 meters. The larger block will be placed in the southwestern corner of the pub’s car park and will span 14.8 meters in length, with a roof height of approximately five meters. These new blocks are expected to provide visitors with high-quality, comfortable accommodation, enhancing the pub’s offerings and creating an inviting boutique hotel environment.

In addition to the accommodation, the pub’s car park will undergo significant redevelopment. The new plans propose 45 parking spaces, a reduction from the 57 originally proposed, in line with efforts to minimize the development’s footprint. The revamped car park will also include cycle storage and electric vehicle charging points, catering to the increasing demand for environmentally friendly infrastructure. A condition has been placed on the approval requiring the final layout of the car park to be agreed upon with the local council, ensuring that it complies with both planning regulations and sustainability goals.

A key feature of the approval is the restriction placed on the use of the new bedrooms. The six additional rooms will be designated exclusively for holiday accommodation, with a condition that they must remain ancillary to the main operations of the Castell Y Bwch Inn. This means the accommodation will be used for short-term stays only, preventing any permanent residential use that could alter the character of the pub and its role within the local community. This stipulation aims to ensure that the development remains true to its roots as a local business while providing a modern and attractive accommodation option for visitors.

The approved plans also include several other enhancements to the pub’s facilities. A single-storey extension will be added to the northern side of the pub, which is expected to improve both the functionality and appeal of the space. The plans also include the addition of new play equipment for children, making the pub a more family-friendly destination. Furthermore, the historic gates of the pub, which have long been a symbol of its charm, will be reinstated, improving both the security and the overall aesthetic of the property.

A significant revision to the original plans involved the removal of a proposal to extend the pub’s curtilage into a special landscape area and green wedge between Torfaen and Newport. This area is of ecological importance, and concerns were raised that extending the pub’s grounds could negatively affect the surrounding landscape. By removing this element from the plans, the developers addressed environmental concerns, ensuring that the pub’s expansion would not encroach on valuable green spaces or disrupt the natural beauty of the area.

The granting of planning permission represents a major milestone for the Castell Y Bwch Inn, allowing the pub to move forward with its vision of becoming a boutique hotel. This expansion will provide much-needed accommodation options for visitors to the area while preserving the pub’s role as a central gathering place for the local community. The development is expected to bring numerous benefits, including attracting more tourists to the area, providing jobs during the construction phase, and offering ongoing employment once the accommodation blocks are up and running.

Though the planning process was lengthy and contentious, the final approval reflects a compromise between the pub’s desire to expand and the concerns of the local residents and community council. The revised plans address many of the concerns raised throughout the consultation process, including the impact on traffic, the environment, and the character of the pub. With the green light now given, the Castell Y Bwch Inn is set to become an even more attractive and popular destination for visitors to Henllys and the surrounding areas, offering a blend of traditional pub charm and modern, comfortable accommodation.