WORK is now fully under way to create a 60-bedroom Premier Inn hotel in Newport city centre after the project was given the green light by Newport City Council and Cadw.

Richard Hayward Properties was granted permission for a change of use of the old Yates Wine Lodge by Newport City Council two days before Christmas, while this month (January 2015), Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service, gave conservation approval to the work.

NCC has also awarded the project £450,000 through the Welsh Government’s Vibrant & Viable Places programme, recognising its role in the regeneration of Newport.

RHP had already been on site to start preparatory works ahead of the redevelopment and is now working hard to transform the building.

Roger Dean, of Richard Hayward Properties, said: “This is a fantastic start to the New Year, with a new focus on regenerating Newport city centre and complements the other major projects currently underway. The resultant job creation and economic stimulant will be of enormous benefit.”

The project has been evolving for almost two years whilst various design, planning and grant issues were resolved with Premier Inn, NCC and the Welsh Assembly Government.

The high-profile building sits directly opposite the city’s railway station, close to the recently redeveloped market and just a short distance from the new Admiral building.

As a result, its revitalisation is essential in terms of the Newport’s image to the outside world as a progressive and improving city. It will also act as a catalyst for further regeneration in the area.

RHP has already invested more than £1.4m acquiring the site and clearing asbestos from the Grade II listed building. Now, internal areas have been stripped, scaffolding has been erected and the main construction work is under way.

This is not RHP’s only major project in Newport as it is also working on the redevelopment of the old Passport Office, Olympia House, into residential and retail.

Premier Inn, the Whitbread-owned hotel chain, has more than 660 hotels across the UK and Ireland.

It is anticipated that about 100 people will be employed during the redevelopment of the building, which will also create up to 50 permanent jobs in the hotel when finished.

It is hoped that the project will be completed during 2015.