A FORMER school in Welshpool will become a family centre and base for social workers.

The change of use planning application to turn the former Oldford Road Nursery and Infants School into offices, a family centre and nursery has been approved by Powys County Council planning officers under delegated powers.

The school was one of three sites in the town that made up Welshpool Church in Wales primary school, and that closed in December last year as pupils moved to the new school building on Salop Road which opened in January 2021.

The application was lodged in August on behalf of the council by Karen Finucane of Newtown Integrated Family Centre.

Council planning officer Rhys Evans said: “There will be little change to the external appearance of the building or site, and the nature of the proposed change of use would not cause any detrimental impact upon the amenities enjoyed by occupiers of neighbouring properties.

“It is noted the use as a nursery centre will continue and the majority of the building will remain a community facility, and actually diversify to include a family centre.

“The principle of development is considered to be acceptable.”

Mr Evans added that a condition to restrict the hours of when building work on extending the car park takes place has been added to the permission.

This so that it doesn’t impact on people living in homes around the site.

The car park will go up from 11 to 14 spaces, and another condition is that 10 per cent of these spaces need to have an electric vehicle charging point.

Welshpool town councillors had “no objections” to the proposal when they discussed the plans, but wanted to ensure that building regulations going back to 2010 continue to be followed there.

When completed the site would be known as the Oldford Integrated Family Centre and would provide similar services as the one in Newtown.

The Newtown Integrated Family Centre is described as a “one stop shop” providing services to support families’ learning, social care, and health needs.

The centre provides activities such as parent and toddler groups, baby massage, information, Incredible Years Parenting Training programmes, health advice, family support and counselling.