Office space in the heart of Newport could be converted into 2 new ‘first-time buyer flats’.
Jon Carter submitted a prior approval application to County Hall to convert ‘general office space’ on the first and second floors of 31 High Street in Newport into two one-bedroom flats.
The ground floor of 31 High Street currently houses a branch of estate and letting agents Watson Bull & Porter.
The first and second floors were previously used as ‘general office accommodation’ for the estate agent but are now ‘largely unused’, according to a statement from Planning & Development Hub (IW) Ltd, prepared on behalf of Mr Carter.
Planning & Development Hub said the application had been made due to the ‘general lack of demand for office space’.
Its statement said:
“It is considered that the first and second floor office space is now in real terms, redundant, with a more suitable and appropriate use being to provide residential units for first time buyer flats within this central and sustainable location.
“A number of options have been explored, taking into account the location, the space and the costs for conversion.
Article continues below this advertisement “After much consideration, the most viable proposal is to use this space to form several units of residential accommodation aimed at the home leavers market (those leaving home for the first time and needing something affordable, centrally located and maintenance free) or a single person keyworker.
“Due to the size of the units, it is more likely that the occupants will be single or young couples, car free and less likely to have children.”
The council’s public consultation on the application will end on 14th March and a decision is due on 10th April.
Great idea, better than having vacant premises.