Newark Town Council planning committee supports plans to convert commercial building into residential

Plans to convert first and second-floor offices into eight-bedroom flats have been backed by a council.

The application submitted by OTP Construct Management Ltd was for the site on 41 Stodman Street, Newark.

Newark Town Council planning committee has supported the plans to convert the offices into eight-bedroom houses of multiple occupations with associated amenity space.

The application is for the change of use of the building from commercial to residential, with the commercial area on the front of the ground floor retained which fronts onto Stodman Street with its own access from the front of the building as existing.

The development proposed the rooms shall have use of the amenity space to the rear, with the existing outbuildings serving as bike stores.

The ground floor to the rear would be converted into the amenity space of the residents, giving large kitchen, dining and living spaces to be enjoyed by the residents.

The outside area is designated for use by the residents also.

It is deemed that the use of the external spaces by the residents will not be detrimental to the commercial premises as the rear of the commercial premises is staff amenity space, so interaction between residents and customers is very unlikely.

Existing glazing on the commercial property is to be retained and the existing entrance door is situated to the left of the commercial property which leads to a staircase to the upper floors and the amenity spaces on the ground floor.

The proposal is designed to not alter in any way the façade of the building and utilise existing access/egress points.

The only amends to the structure that affect the original building’s form are the opening between the two commercial units — which can be reduced in size if required — and the opening on the first floor to link the staircases.

The staircase that is being removed is not original to the building as the original building mirrors itself down the party wall.

Bins are to be stored in the rear courtyard and brought through the building on collection day.

The planning committee said to support housing within the Town Centre, however, wishes to register concerns regarding waste storage and removal.

The Newark and Sherwood District Council environmental officers have commented that the applicant should provide information that demonstrates there will be suitable and sufficient provision for waste storage and collection from both residential and commercial premises sharing the building, including the number and type of waste receptacles required and the size and location of the dedicated waste storage areas.

There is no car park provision within the plans, but the Design and Access Statement indicates that the existing outbuildings would be used for cycle storage.

Nottinghamshire County Council Highways report says that no part of the development hereby permitted shall be brought into use until provision has been made within the application site for the secure parking of cycles and provision of secure cycle equipment storage facilities in accordance with details to be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Newark Town Council also notes the concerns raised by the Conservation Office.

The Grade II building has been vacant since 2020, over four years and the applicant said to wish to bring the entirety of the building back to use in a manner which responds to market forces in 2024.