The Planning, Regulatory and Licensing Committee of Merthyr Tydfil Council met on Wednesday, 1st October 2025, to discuss several planning applications and licensing issues. The committee approved an application to retain a multidisciplinary training unit at Prince Charles Hospital permanently, and also approved an application to change the use of a dwelling to a house of multiple occupancy, despite objections from local residents. The committee also received an information report regarding an appeal decision and a delegated decision report.

Planning Decisions

Prince Charles Hospital, Gurnos Road, Gurnos, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 9DT

The committee approved application P/25/0224 to retain Unit 2 at Prince Charles Hospital as a multidisciplinary training unit on a permanent basis. The unit, a two-storey structure with 1486sqm of floorspace, had previously been granted temporary planning permission in 2019, which was due to expire.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services recommended approval, noting that the building is within settlement limits defined by Policy SW4 of the Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council Replacement Local Development Plan (LDP) 2016-2023¹ where development is generally encouraged. They stated that while its outward appearance might be considered utilitarian, it serves its purpose in the day to day running of the hospital and is designed to be fully accessible by all.

The council's ecologist raised no objection, subject to a condition to secure ecological enhancements to provide net biodiversity benefit, in accordance with Chapter 6 of Planning Policy Wales².

The approval is subject to conditions, including that a scheme for biodiversity enhancement be submitted within 3 months.

3 Eastfield Place, Plymouth Street, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 0UP

The committee approved application P/25/0231 for a change of use from a 3-bedroom dwelling (C3 use³) to a 4-bedroom House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) (C4 use class⁴) at 3 Eastfield Place.

Councillor Julia Jenkins requested the application be considered by the planning committee due to concerns raised by local residents, including the impact on parking, the character of the area, and waste management.

Despite 122 letters of objection, the Director of Neighbourhood Services recommended approval, stating that the proposal would be acceptable in principle as the property lies within the settlement boundary and seeks to continue to provide a residential use. They added that the proposed change of use and provision of a cycle store would not involve any significant alterations to the internal layout or external appearance of the property, and the proposal would therefore not have any adverse impact on the appearance of the property or the character of the wider area.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services addressed concerns about residential amenity, stating that a 4-bedroom HMO would not be significantly different to the existing use as a 3-bedroom residential dwelling. They noted that the Environmental Health Manager had not raised any objection.

The council's ecologist did not object to the proposal, noting the submission of a Green Infrastructure Statement (GIS) and proposed ecological enhancements, including a bat box and a planting scheme.

The approval is subject to conditions, including that the bat box be provided prior to the development coming into beneficial use, and that the planting be provided in the first planting season after the development coming into beneficial use.

Appeal Decision

The committee received an information report regarding appeal decision P/24/0201 for 2 Llewellyn Street, which concerned a change of use from a dwelling house (Use Class C3) to a 4-bedroom house in multiple occupancy (Use Class C4). The appeal was allowed.

Delegated Decisions

The committee received the Delegated Report June - August 2025, which listed planning decisions made by officers under delegated powers between 1st June 2025 and 31st August 2025. The report included a variety of applications, such as extensions, change of use, and new builds. Some notable decisions included:

• Approval of an extension to a workshop at 7 - 9 Harlan Business Park.
• Approval of a change of use to a cafe/yoga studio at Theatre Royal and Thespian House.
• Refusal of the construction of a rural enterprise dwelling at Land at The Paddocks, Nant-y-Fedw, Trelewis.
• Approval of the erection of a coffee shop with drive-thru facility on land to the south of Cyfarthfa Retail Park.
• Approval of a new build for a Flying Start Creche at Ysgol Santes Tudful.
• Approval of the demolition of a garage block to create parking bays at Garages at Yew Close, Gurnos.
• Approval of a change of use of a barber shop to residential at 45 Perrott Street, Treharris.
• Approval of a cold water wellness unit at Taff Bargoed Wellness Centre.
• Approval of a change of use of a community room to a cafe at 17 - 20 Gurnos Workshops.
• Approval to erect a toilet block at Merthyr Tydfil Football Club.
• Approval of a change of use from a betting shop to a tanning shop at Former William Hill Bookmakers, Poplar Way, Gurnos.
• Approval of a summerhouse in garden at Newgale, St Tydfils Avenue, Twynyrodyn.
• Approval of the renewal of a synthetic surface to pitch and one new shipping container and relocation of an existing container at Aberfan Grove Field.
• Approval of a change of use from storage and distribution unit to a contrast therapy facility at Unit 1 Waterloo House.
• Approval of the installation of surface water drainage around the perimeter of Cyfarthfa Castle.
• Approval of a change of use from the Print Shop to a dessert shop at 51 Perrott Street, Treharris.