A RUNDOWN corner of a Valleys village could be given a new lease of life with new homes and apartments.

Torfaen councillors are set to approve plans to demolish the historic Co-operative building and a row of former shops in High Street, Abersychan.

SJIP Ltd of Llanbadoc want to build a four-storey apartment block, a two-storey block of flats and two three-storey rows of houses on the site.

Some residents campaigned to preserve the historic Co-op building, which was originally built in 1896 and once contained a bakery, printing press, slaughterhouse, and even a ballroom.

But Cadw said it wasn't worth listing because of the level of alterations in the 20th century.

The plans are up for approval by the planning committee at a meeting tomorrow (Tuesday), with a long list of conditions attached.

The council's report said the loss of the building is "severely regrettable", but as it is not listed it can be demolished.

It added: "Extensive negotiations and discussions have taken place with the applicant to try an achieve a design which is of a sufficient quality to replace this building."

But in his report Torfaen council's highways chief Paul Wheeldon opposed the development, which he said had a "totally unacceptable" shortfall in parking spaces.

The council also received three letters of objection from residents, raising concerns over parking, the loss of privacy and the loss of an architectural landmark.

But some locals will be happy to see the "eyesore" building torn down to make way for new homes.

Wilf Tuckwell, 80, of Manor Way, Abersychan, said: "My great-grandfather was one of the founding members of the Co-operative but I think it has become an eyesore.

"It hasn't been used for years and I think it is time for it to go."