A well-known Newtown building can become a mental health clinic to help an increased demand for support in north Powys.

Powys County Council has approved NHS Wales' plans to allow 12 ground floor rooms at the Park Office in Newtown town centre to become consultation rooms.

It is estimated that 84 people would be based inside the building to cope with the demand for mental health services.

Planning officer Natalie Hinds said: "The development is considered to contribute to the wider public benefit of the town centre area, whilst not detrimentally impacting upon the provision of retail or commercial space.

"It is therefore considered that the site is suitable for the proposed use and complies with relevant planning policies."

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The Powys County Council-owned building was used as a registration office for births, deaths, marriages, and hosting ceremonies for many decades until staff were relocated to the nearby Ladywell House in Park Street by September last year as part of cost saving plans worth £95,000 over two years.

A planning statement said: "The proposal is required to meet the increasing demand for local mental health care facilities. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on people’s mental health is well recognised. It is also well reported that there is a lack of capacity and availability in community mental health services.

"In a post-Covid world more support for mental health services is vital for the local community. The NHS, as the responsible body for meeting the health and well-being needs of the people of Newtown and Powys as a whole, is providing the necessary services that are subject of this planning application."

Powys County Council’s Highways Authority did not object to the proposed development, saying that the prominent building benefits from off-street parking and is located near a large public car park and bus station.

Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Town Council also supported the planning application which councillors said was an "ideal place" for a mental health clinic which would create jobs in the town centre.