PENARTH town councillors are set to consider proposals to turn the Gardenhurst mansion and former elderly day centre into apartments.

A large-scale planning application for change of use has been submitted to the Vale Council for the Victorian building Gardenhurst in Holmesdale Place.

The council agreed to sell off the former 30-room Gardenhurst day centre in May last year after deeming the building was “no longer fit for purpose”.

An in-depth building survey had concluded that it would cost more than £400k to make the building safe and bring it up to current building standards.

Then, in February this year, it was revealed company EWM Properties Ltd. had bought the Gardenhurst mansion.

A planning application submitted to the council last month now wants to see the mansion developed into six apartments with four town houses built in the rear car park.

But Penarth town councillors have decided to defer their consideration of the proposals until after a site visit has been organised.

A spokesman for Penarth town council said it is not yet confirmed when the site visit will be.

In 2011 campaigners fought the council’s plans to close the Gardenhurst day centre and even took their battle to the Senedd and AM Vaughan Gething.

Sue Phillips was one of the campaigners who fought long and hard to keep the centre open after her mother attended there.

But the building, which dates from 1890, was left empty in April last year after the community mental health team for older people was relocated to Canolfan Ty Jenner in Barry.

The final decision on the proposals will be taken by the Vale council.