Plans submitted to convert city centre office space into HMO

Plans have been submitted to turn offices in Wrexham city centre into a house of multiple occupancy (HMO).

The proposals would see the first and second floors of a building on King Street, opposite Wrexham bus station, converted to create six bedrooms.

The ground floor of the property is currently empty, but was most recently used by an accountancy firm.

Applicants Passive Properties Ltd said the use of the ground floor as an office would be kept the same under the plans.

According to documents accompanying the application, the building is Grade II-listed as one of a terrace of seven shops which formed part of the original development of King Street.

The road is said to have been the first residential street formally laid out in Wrexham in 1828.

In a planning statement, agents acting on behalf of the developers said the HMO would be ideally located for residents.

They said: “The proposed site is situated within a mixed-use area in Wrexham town centre.

“The building to be redeveloped is currently empty, its last use was by an accountancy firm offering professional services.

“The change of use involves retaining the ground floor as an office and converting their remaining space on the upper floors into residential, which would be used as a house of multiple occupancy.

“Numerous shops, restaurants and public spaces are within close walking distance with amenities to suit the proposals already existing or being developed nearby.

“The proposed development positively utilises a vacant space within an already established area, making use of a redundant building within the city and providing much needed housing.”

The proposals include four double bedrooms and two single bedrooms, with a shared kitchen area on the ground floor.

Bin and bike storage areas would also be created as part of the development, with two parking spaces located behind the property.

The proposals will be decided on by Wrexham Council at a later date.

By Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter