Decision made on apartments plan for Blackpool town centre
“The scheme would provide a reasonable standard of amenity for occupants considering the constraints of the existing site.”
Proposals to change upstairs office space in a Blackpool town centre building into three permanent flats have been given the green light.
The plans involve a property at 23 Abingdon Chambers, on the corner of Abingdon Street and Clifton Street.
A full planning application was lodged with Blackpool Council for the change of use from first and second floor office (class E) to three self contained permanent flats (class C3).
The site comprises a three, part four storey commercial property set within the extended Blackpool Town Centre Conservation Area.
A heritage statement on behalf of the application said: “The proposal is to change the use from vacant first and second offices to 3 self-contained permanent flats incorporating the first floor roof terrace to be used as a communal outdoor area.
“The external appearance of the property will remain unchanged and the development will only be carried out internally within the first and second floor area.
“The internal layout will have each of the three bedrooms as self-contained permanent flats.
“The main front access will remain from Abingdon Street and access to the rear will remain from Cheapside.
“The proposals, due to their design and location, will not detract from the character or appearance of the Town Centre Conservation Area and it is considered that the proposal complies with policy.
“It is therefore requested that the application be viewed favourably.”
The plans were approved by Blackpool Council's Head of Development Management, who stated: "Socially, the scheme would provide a reasonable standard of amenity for occupants considering the constraints of the existing site.
"There would be no adverse impact on heritage or the highway and the scheme would make a small contribution to local housing supply and would align with aspirations to provide more good quality residential accommodation in the town centre where appropriate."
The scheme is considered to represent sustainable development and on this basis, planning permission should be approved."The proposals were given the go ahead, with conditions including the completion of a noise survey to be carried out before work begins.