Plans to turn former office space into new apartments given the go ahead

Plans to convert the upper floors of a town centre shop into new apartments have been given the go ahead.

An application to turn the first, second and third floors of 58 Hope Street, located above the entrance of Central Arcade, into housing were submitted to Wrexham Council for consideration in November 2021.

The proposals have now been approved via a delegated decision by the local authority’s chief officer for planning and regulatory,

As part of the redevelopment the ground floor will be retained for commercial usage, with a new communal entrance to access to apartments created at the rear of the property.

Previously the retail space has housed the Perfume Shop and more recently a cafe.

In November the applications said that the works include: “Making good a ground floor commercial unit and restoring the exterior to include more traditional detailing which will improve he building’s appearance.

“The building has been unsympathetically modified over the years and much of the original character has been lost, mainly on the first floor.”

On the upper floors the former office space will be turned into three flats – each consisting of two bedrooms and an open plan kitchen, living and dining space.

Details provided in the initial heritage statement explain that the applicants intend to “restore all of the windows to the former glory on all of the floors and event reinstate a window to the first floor which has been boarded up.”

The applicants said: “Our proposals aim to rationalise the building and create very functional apartments and shop ready for fit out which is suitable
for 21st century living.

“The proposals will bring this vacant building into use and future proof it for years to come and historic assets and details of the building will be retained as much as possible.

“The apartments are proposed to be accessed from a core stairwell which will be completely separated from the shop premises. They more or less stack up floor to floor, with some small differences due to the existing wall locations which will be utilised where possible.

“Provision has been made to ensure that the building is functional in modern day living, such as a bin storage location for the apartments. Cycle storage will be within each individual apartment within the generous store cupboards.

“As is often the case with converting existing buildings, it has not been possible to provide wheelchair access into the apartments. §Furthermore, the apartments to the upper floors have some split levels via some steps within the hallways. Providing accommodation to suit needs of all users is always our aim for each project, however, in this instance, it isn’t possible due to working with an existing historic building.

“The historic shop frontage will be reinstated as part of our application but the shop fit out/ advertisement will not form a part of this particular application.”

*Picture: Planning Documents