HMO plans for former town centre office space

Disused office space in the town centre could be converted into a HMO if new plans are given the go ahead.

In an application submitted to Wrexham Council it has been proposed that the vacant office, located on a row of offices (including Wrexham.com) in the conservation area of 61 Regent Street, is converted into a five bedroom HMO (House Multiple Occupancy) with communal space.

Previously the Regent Street property was home to ISP Architects, however the building has been vacant for around three years.

Details about the site are provided within the application’s design and access statement, which notes that the owner has had the property on the market for 18 months through two separate estate agents, however no purchaser has been found.

The document continues onto state that the applicant is to ‘purchase the property subject to achieving planning permission for a change of use to HMO’.

If the application is approved the current office space on the first floor would be converted into four bedrooms and a communal bathroom. On the ground floor one bedroom facing the road, a communal room, communal kitchen, toilet and communal shower would be created.

The current number of six parking spaces at the rear of the property would also be retained plus secure bike and bin storage created.

The design and access statement concludes: “This statement has identified that all Design and Access matters have been fully considered at the design stage and that the scheme presented offers a sustainable form of development that compliments its surroundings and a building that will be accessible by all its users.

“It would generate new affordable residential premises that would fit into the streetscape well.

“For reasons set out above it is therefore concluded that the proposed development can be supported for approval.”

The application is expected to be considered by Wrexham Council’s planning committee at a later date.