Fire-ravaged historic Drill Hall in Newport to be turned into flats

Plans to transform a fire-ravaged historic Drill Hall in Newport have been given the go-ahead. The landmark building on Lower Dock Street is one of the city's most recognisable having stood since 1867.

The Grade-II listed building has a long history which includes being used as the base for the 4th Battalion of the South Wales Borderers, formerly the 3rd Corps of The Monmouthshire Rifle Volunteers. It has also been used as a charity headquarters and is well known for its castle turrets and eyecatching sandstone and bathstone.

The building has had a troubled recently history, having been hit with fires in 2016, which caused so much damage that its rear section had to be demolished, and in 2018 which destroyed part of its roof as well as a partial collapse of the building.

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Photos taken at the time showed the extent of the fire damage to the building, with much of the interior left a burnt out shell with ceilings, floors and walls missing, and rear sections of the building either collapsed or demolished.

In 2020 the building went under the hammer with Paul Fosh Auctions and was sold for £199,500. Plans were later submitted to Newport County Council to convert the building into flats, but the initial application was turned down last year.

However, the building now seems set for a new future after new plans by H Bowes and M Man to convert the site were given the green light. Council planners this week gave the go-ahead for the proposals, which include nine flats and a first floor office and gym space.

City planners said the redevelopment of the drill hall would “significantly benefit the remnants of the existing building, bringing it back into beneficial use and save [it] from collapse." The proposals received no objections from residents.

However, the plans will not immediately be allowed to start, as the council also has to decide on a separate application for listed building consent for the works. Council officers have recommended consent be given with conditions, subject to approval from heritage organisaion Cadw, which will have the final say on that consent.