Go-ahead for Boverton House, Chepstow apartments plan

The late Victorian-era Boverton House, which is in Chepstow’s conservation area, has been empty since the day centre closed in 2016 and was sold, by Monmouthshire County Council, for development in 2020. 

Applicants BMJ International will convert the building, in Bulwark Road, into six apartments, and have also been given permission to build a new three-storey building, of nine apartments, in the existing grounds to the front of the house. It will appear to be the same size as the existing two-and-a-half-storey structure as it will be set down a slope. 

Planning committee chairman Phil Murphy, Conservative councillor for Caerwent, said he welcomed the application.

“I think it’s a very good use of a very sad looking site that is crying out now for development,” he said.

Labour councillor Jill Bond said she was disappointed that there will be no affordable housing provided on site. Instead the developers will make a payment of nearly £69,000 to the council for provision elsewhere. 

“It’s a lovely building and beautiful site but I’m really disappointed there is no affordable housing,” said the Caldicot West End member. “I’m also disappointed this was a Monmouthshire County Council building sold to private developers back in 2020. If there is anything else it is worth us holding onto before selling off.” 

Planning officer Phil Thomas said the council’s policy would have required five affordable units on site, but the developer claimed that wasn’t viable, and, after the authority appointed an independent expert, the £68,779 contribution to a council fund for affordable housing was agreed. 

Mr Thomas said registered social landlords had also been invited to consider managing properties on site but he said none were interested due to practical problems of shared maintenance of the buildings. 

Usk independent councillor Meirion Howells asked if the shortfall in parking, with 21 spaces proposed for the 15 apartments – four short of the council’s standard – could be met through on street parking. 

Mr Thomas said the standard was relaxed due to the building’s “sustainable location”, with it being close to the centre of Chepstow and within walking distance of the bus station.

“We are trying to get people to think differently and use public transport rather than the private car,” he said. “Hopefully this arrangement encourages that rather than a parking area that people will use if they can.” 

He added every apartment will have at least one parking space within the existing grounds. He also said there would be amenity space within the grounds though there will also be planting within the site while all the existing mature trees around the edge of the site will be retained. 

Of the 21 parking spaces, 20 per cent will have electric charging points, and Wyesham independent councillor Emma Bryn asked if the covered cycle store for 15 bikes could have charging points for electric bicycles, while Chepstow Castle councillor Dale Rook suggested there should also be charging points for mobility scooters. 

The Labour councillor said: “This building has been empty a good number of years and it is high time it is brought back into use. Smaller accommodation is dire in Chepstow and this will go some way to address that shortage.” 

Planning officers said the suggestion on e-bike charging could be put to the developers while the committee also agreed the financial contribution to affordable housing should be reviewed if building work hasn’t started within 18 months.