Plans to for a heath and care academy at Bronllys Hospital are approved
Plans to develop a training academy, which will produce health and care workers in Powys, has been given the green light.
In December 2020, Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) submitted a Listed Building Consent planning application to turn the Grade II listed Basil Webb Hall, at Bronllys Hospital near Brecon, into a “modern flexible, conference and learning facility.”
The decision hinged on Powys County Council’s Built Heritage officer Debra Lewis’ report on the application,
Ms Lewis said: “The existing layout is noted and the proposal would involve the removal of modern partitions to create a more open plan space, presumably more akin to its original layout.
“It is noted that a portion of an assumed original wall adjacent to the chimney breast is to be removed, and ideally it would be preferable for this to be retained.
“However, I note that the suspended ceilings are to be removed to expose the original vaulted ceiling, which is greatly desirable and would revert back to the original interior.”
She believed that this outweighed the loss of part of the wall.
Ms Lewis added: “The use of the building is considered acceptable and in many respects desirable as it retains an element of open plan reminiscent of its original function.
“On balance I would support the application.”
Powys County Council’s planning case officer Lorraine Jenkin, who looked at the whole application, recommended approval.
The agent for the scheme, Cardiff-based Pentan Architects, had explained that the aim of the project is to refurbish and refit the building to create a ‘modern, flexible conference, learning facility in partnership with Powys County Council and The Bronllys Health and Care Academy’.
Pentan said: “The building originates as a recreation hall within the wider Bronllys Hospital which was established as a sanatorium for tuberculosis sufferers in 1920.
“It is currently used for office and conference space by PTHB.”
The academy proposal is a joint venture for PTHB and PCC.
PTHB gave the project the go ahead at a board meeting in November.
It was also supported by PCC’s cabinet at a meeting in December.
The academy is supposed to address the shortage of health and care staff in the county, by being able to train up new workers for the health and local authorities.
The building was built as a memorial to Second Lieutenant Thomas Henry Basil Webb, of the Welsh Guards, who was killed in action during World War One on December 1, 1917.
His father, Sir Henry Webb was a Liberal politician who was elected as an MP for the Forest of Dean from 1911 to 1918 serving as Junior Lord of the Treasury from 1912 to 1915.
He was also elected as an MP for Cardiff East from 1923 to 1924.
The hall was opened on July 17, 1920 by King George V and Queen Mary.
