A historic Monmouthshire property could be split into two private homes if a planning application is approved.

Caerwent House, which is Grade II listed, is believed to have been built in the 17th century, and was the subject of a compulsory purchase order by Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) in January of this year.

The original property was built in the late 16th or early 17th century, and was rebuilt in the early 19th century.

It is hoped it will be restored to its former glory with the help of Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service, and the Spitalfields Historic Buildings Trust.

The compulsory purchase order came after an eight-year project, which involved negotiations and successful sourcing of funding from several bodies and included a complex ‘back to back’ legal arrangement finally resulting in the safeguarding of this rare historic house for future generations.

The application, which seeks to return Caerwent House back to residential use, proposes converting the former nine bedroom village house into two semi-detached village houses, one of four bedrooms and one of five bedrooms.

If approved, the two new large houses would be separated by an existing internal dividing wall, each with village-size gardens.

There are concerns that if Caerwent House was left as is, as one nine-bedroom house, the property may be difficult to sell on the open market.

A design and access statement, which supports the planning application, reads: “The proposed restoration of the historic Caerwent House and the removal of its unsightly 20th century cement render, will positively improve both the streetscape and the village generally. By repairing the buildings and their setting, the derelict eyesore is removed, with careful restoration and conservation of the historic fabric, this ancient house will positively enhance the village scene in general, at the same time giving new life to an historic building.”