A bid to save one of the UK’s “most at risk Victorian buildings” by converting it into social housing has received unanimous backing.

Meeting on Wednesday, Anglesey Council’s planning committee approved listed building consent and planning approval for the Grade II listed Plas Alltran on Turkey Shore Road, Holyhead.

Situated near the town’s port, it was built by Arthur Baker in 1890 as the town’s first purpose built doctor’s surgery.

It subsequently served a variety of purposes including rented housing, a classrooms for a girls’ training institute, district nurse accommodation and boarding house.

But having stood empty since the 1970s, in September it was listed on the Victorian Society’s top 10 UK endangered buildings list, which described Plas Alltran as “empty and crumbling”.

The plans, submitted by the authority’s own housing department, will see it transformed into four one-bedroom flats for rent, while also requiring a small extension.

The planning submission stated, “Developing this vision is not only beneficial to both the social and architectural history of the town, but also addresses distinct social housing need too.

“Our main objective is to save this important building that has been in a dilapidated state for some time.”

Cllr Robin Williams described the site as having been an “eyesore for many years”, with Cllr Trefor Lloyd Hughes welcoming the fact that concrete developments were now forthcoming despite reservations due to the site being congested."

Cllr Glyn Haynes said: “It’s a very quirky building. It’s been there 120 years and while some view it as an ugly duckling, it’s unique and deserved saving.”

The plans were approved unanimously.