Former cannabis factory to be regenerated into retail and flats

A forlorn town centre property that was most recently used as an illegal drugs factory can be converted into a mix of two retail units and two apartments.

11C Broad Street was once the headquarters for The County Times, but after it closed its doors back in 2020, the building has officially remained empty.

But it became synonymous with the rise of drug factories found in empty premises in the town, when police raided the building last year to discover a cannabis growing operation in full swing.

An arrest and prosecution followed but it highlighted the depressing state of the town centre at the time with further Welshpool drug dens discovered in other prominent properties.

However, Powys County Council has now given the thumbs up to a change-of-use for the building so that it can be brought back into use.

But it comes with strict conditions, with the approval notice explaining: “The premises shall be used as a hairdresser, barber, beauty salon, funeral director or travel agent only and for no other purpose, including any other purpose falling within Use Class A1 of the Schedule to the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended for Wales), or in any provision equivalent to that Class in any statutory instrument revoking and re-enacting that Order with or without modification.”

Details of the applicant are redacted from the application, but their plans show that the downstairs space will be split into two retail units with the upstairs area to become a pair of apartments.

In July, Welshpool Town Council shared their concerns about the lack of parking available for the future residents, but welcomed the return of a building into use.

The building was purchased by the unnamed developer for just £67,500 in May when it showed that there was floor space of 1,727 square feet. 

You can view the full application and documents here