A LARGE Newport house, constructed in a storm of controversy, could soon be taking in paying guests.

Bettws Newydd, Parrog, was labelled a “carbuncle” and an “eyesore”, during a long-running planning row, which attracted strong local opposition and cost the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority thousands of pounds in consultants’ fees and legal advice.

The park’s development management committee originally granted permission for a dwelling to replace the old bungalow known as Jimmy’s place in 2006, but it was subsequently found to have been built in a different place and higher than the original plans.

The applicant was initially refused retrospective planning permission, but the building was saved from possible demolition after a six-day Welsh Assembly planning enquiry upheld an appeal in 2010.

The house was put on the market in July 2016, with offers invited in the region of £1,500,000.

The five-bedroom, four-bathroom property, which boasts a double garage, gym, study and TV room, limestone flooring, floor to ceiling windows, and views to Carn Ingli mountain is now subject to an application to convert it to a B and B.

An application for change of use from a five-bedroom dwelling to a five-bedroom bed and breakfast, along with the creation of three visitor parking spaces, has been lodged with Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s Development Management Committee.

The application was submitted on December 13 last year and is due, at this stage, to be decided by the park’s planning officers before February 2.