PLANS to convert an historic home into flats have received listed building approval.

Portskewett House, which is described as a well preserved Tudor Revival villa, is on Main Road in the village and dates back to around 1840.

Monmouthshire County Council’s heritage officer Molly Edwards, who has granted listed building consent, said in a report it’s thought the house may have been built as a “dower house” which is a home built for a widow on her deceased husband’s estate.

It was grade Il-listed in 2000 and Ms Edwards said: “The listing description notes that the building may have been built as a dower house for the St Pierre estate, a large medieval property owned by the Lewis family.”

Planning permission to divide the house into a four bedroom flat at the back and two bedroom flat at the front was granted by the council in December.

The report said the plans had been discussed with the council ahead of the application and Ms Edwards said: “The application proposes to subdivide the building along its east-west axis. This arrangement is considered the most appropriate, particularly given the considerable amount of historic fabric retained internally and the location of the existing, historic staircase and hallway.

“Subdivision to the north of the staircase allows for the retention of the ground floor corridor intact and retain the doors and doorcases to all principal rooms in situ on the ground floor.”

Changes will include the blocking up of some ground floor doors, though they will be retained, and the details agreed by condition which will also cover the possible inclusion of a sprinkler system in the rear flat.

A new staircase for the rear flat can be included within a 20th century extension.

Some ancillary walls within the curtilage of the house will be removed but they are described as in a poor condition with little value and Ms Edwards said: “Whilst it is a shame to remove the remaining elements of the wall, the proposed works are not considered to be detrimental enough to warrant refusal.”

A condition will require a record is made before the removal of the wall that could date back to between 1846 and 1901.

A separate application to build three new houses in the grounds of the house has yet to be determined by the council planning department.

For more information about planning applications in your area visit https://publicnoticeportal.uk