Landmark village furniture shop to be converted into apartments
Plans to convert a former village furniture shop into apartments have been approved.
Wakefield Council has given the green light for eight apartments on the first floor of the Middlestown Furnishings building.
A planning statement submitted to the local authority said the business, on New Road, Middlestown, had ceased trading as the owners had retired.
The document said: “It is understood that the furniture business has operated here since the mid 1980s and prior to that the building was a Co-op Store.
“Having operated here for approximately 40 years the business owners are retiring and the property has been sold.”
Plans include removing part of the roof, creating a external terraced area for residents and installing new windows.
A new access to the site via a rear car park was also proposed.
The ground floor of the premises is to be retained for commercial use.
The document said: “It is considered that the proposed re-use of an existing partly vacant property will be in accordance with the aims of the council to increase the vibrancy and create a high quality, attractive environment for people to live, work and visit.
“Given the minimal external impact, it is not felt that the proposals will have any negative effect on the character and appearance of the building and its contribution to the street scene.”
Two objections to the scheme were submitted by residents living near to the property who raised concerns over a loss of privacy.
The council’s conversation officer said the site was close to a number listed buildings but they would not be impacted by the development.
Approving the scheme, a planning officer’s report said: “Whilst it is possible that the use of the external terrace would have some minor resultant increase in noise emissions from future occupiers, it is not anticipated that this would be of a level which results in significant harm to neighbouring occupiers, particularly given the existing character of the area.”