PLANS have been lodged to convert the upper floors of a pub in Blaenavon into hotel accommodation, as part of a heritage regeneration project.

The Castle Hotel, in Broad Street, was built in the 19th century to provide accommodation for workers as the town and the new ironworks expanded.

As the building was modernised in the late 20th century, the upper floors were converted into residential use.

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But an application has now been lodged to convert the upper floors back into an eight-bedroom hotel, contributing to a wider heritage-led regeneration scheme.

The plans would see a passage between the main bar and the toilet block converted into a two-story structure to accommodate a new staircase.

A new first floor balcony is also proposed, alongside replacing windows and the roof to the rear with replacements based on copies of historic features.

The plans would also see the ground floor toilets and kitchen refurbished, while two new chimney stacks would be built.

A major regeneration scheme to restore lost heritage features took place following the inscription of the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape as a World Heritage Site in 2000.

A number of gaps remained though, and in 2016 a Townscape Heritage Project grant was awarded for further work to key buildings, including The Castle Hotel.

Townscape Heritage Projects aim to restore buildings to look similar to their historic appearance.

A design and access statement says: "This proposal will significantly enhance the streetscape and help contribute towards a heritage led regeneration scheme which will make Blaenavon generally more prosperous."

The plans could also help address "a serious problem with anti-social behaviour taking place in the rear access", which is often being used to gain access to roofs of adjacent properties, according to the application.

New CCTV cameras will be installed under the plans, while gates will also help tackle the issue.

The application is expected to be decided by Torfaen council in the coming weeks.