Town Centre Flats Over Pub Approved By Councillors

Plans to partially convert a town centre pub into three self-contained apartments were approved by Wrexham’s Planning Committee last night.

In July 2014 Wrexham.com reported on the initial proposals to convert the first and second floor of The Commercial (located on College Street) into three flats. The proposals were submitted in two separate stages – the first for the conversion of the first and second floor into living accommodation and the second for listed building consent for the property.

The Commercial on 11 College Street was listed as a Grade II building in 1994, due to its special interest as an early C19th public house. The building is noted as a ‘highly significant property within the town centre as one of its most historical public houses and due to its close proximity to the Parish Church of St Giles.”

Last night councillors voted in favour of converting the two floors of the pub into three self-contained apartments. The ground floor of the building will remain open and continue to operate as a public house.

Concerns had been raised in the initial report regarding amenity space provided for the flats, an issue reiterated by Councillor Alun Jenkins who said he was ‘not happy’ with the amenity for future occupiers. Cllr Jenkins also added there were no concerns regarding the listed building, as the application had been done ‘sympathetically’.

Planning Officer David Williams said: “There is already living accommodation with six bedrooms – this is an opportunity to sub-divide into more sensible and habitual rooms. Accept this is a town centre location and it’s inevitable that you wouldn’t have the same amenity space. This is a positive use of the building and sensible subdivisions that improves living conditions.

“Parking is restricted and there are double yellow lines, however there is a car park nearby. The scheme has a lot to commend it.”

Chairman Michael Morris added: “Issues are parking and amenity, no one will leave their cars on Town Hill. It’s three flats and not a major issue, amenity will be the same if it was one, two or three flats.”