Apartment plans for disused town offices set for approval

Plans to convert disused office space in the town centre into new apartments could be given the go ahead next week.

The application, which was put forward by CB Architectural Design earlier this year, proposes that the first and second floors of 31 High Street are turned into six flats.

The building itself was previously home to Thomas Andrew and Partners, however has sat vacant for several months.

On Monday applications for the development and listed building consent will go before members of the planning committee with a recommendation from the council’s chief officer of planning and regulatory for approval.

However the plans have been met with opposition from the local community council, which argues that a chance in council policy is needed for providing parking provision for such developments.

Similar concerns have also been raised by residents and local councillors in terms of other housing developments in the town centre.

The community council continue onto say that: “Bins should not be left on Overton Arcade but wheeled out onto Temple Row whilst waiting collection. The use of suitable materials must apply.”

However in his report, Mr Isted, chief officer of planning and regulatory, states that the “lack of on-site amenity space is not uncommon for town centre accommodation.”

He continues onto say: “The proposal is considered capable of accommodating the number of flats proposed without resulting in any adverse impacts to residential amenities, having regard to overshadowing, overlooking and overbearing between each proposed flat.

“Site constraints would result in no private amenity space being provided as part of the proposal, however the sites town centre location is within walking distance of Bellevue Park and the POS in front of the Guild Hall.

“The lack of on-site amenity space is not uncommon for town centre accommodation and on the basis that existing POS is easily accessible from the application site, it is not considered that this would warrant refusal of planning permission.

“Adequate space would be provided at the rear of the ground floor of the building for bin storage.

“The use of the first and second floors of the building as class C3 is considered to result in improved natural surveillance of High Street.

“Public Protection raises no objection subject to a condition to secure submission of a Noise Survey to ensure any day/evening impacts to first and second floor flats is acceptable.

“The principle of development is considered to be acceptable and a development of the type proposed is considered could sit comfortably in this location without detriment to visual or residential amenities.”

Last week Wrexham.com reported that further plans had been put forward for the site, with the applicants seeking permission to convert the ground floor into a micro brewery.

The plans will be considered for approval by planning committee members on Monday 2nd September.