Campus residential redevelopment set to move forward

The redevelopment of the University of South Wales’ former Caerleon campus looks set to move forward after the revised residential scheme proposed for the site was recommended for approval.Housebuilder Redrow is seeking permission to convert a number of historic buildings on the campus, as well as build more new properties.A previous application was refused permission in 2018 for traffic, air quality and amenity reasons.The current full application, which is recommended for conditional approval ahead of a Newport City Council planning meeting today (6 January 2021) proposes a redevelopment of the former campus brownfield site to provide 219 homes, down from the 310 dwellings and commercial space sought by the earlier plan.The main campus building, which is grade II-listed and featured in Netflix drama Sex Education, is set to be refurbished and converted into 44 flat, while conversions are also lined up for the TJ Webly, Ty Hywel and Felthorpe heritage buildings.Other existing buildings on the site are to be demolished to allow for the construction of 170 homes, alongside open space, landscaping and infrastructure works.In addition to the heritage assets, the former rugby pitch is to reconfigured to provide open space.According to a report to be scrutinised by councillors, the proposal will have a negligible impact upon interests of acknowledged importance, namely highway capacity and the flow of traffic and human health.Concerns regarding the routing of construction traffic were said to ave been given much consideration, but officers consider that demonstrable harm arising from this route will not be significant, subject to suitable controls.Officers have also considered that adverse impacts identified can be suitably addressed by way of planning conditions or legal agreement and believe that the benefits arising from the proposal are significant.The reasons for refusing the previous scheme for this site were said to have been addressed by the changes made to the proposal and supporting information provided with this application.It is therefore recommended that permission be granted subject to conditions and a legal agreement.The University of South Wales decided to close the campus in 2014 to focus investment on Newport and Cardiff, and in Pontypridd.