Upstairs office space in the centre of the Isle of Wight’s county town will be converted into 2 new ‘first-time buyer flats’.
County Hall has accepted Jon Carter’s prior approval application to install 2x 1-bedroom flats on the first and second floors of 31 High Street in Newport.
A branch of estate and letting agents Watson Bull & Porter is currently housed on the building’s ground floor.
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 as 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.”
Councillor Vix Lowthion, chair of Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council, supported the proposal:
“The change of use of office space to residential, and the partial conversion of the offices to form 2x 1-bedroom flats, is a positive move for Newport.
“The units are in a conservation area, but they will be making internal only rearrangements, apart from the soil vent pipe position being shifted 30cm internally.
“This conversion will not be removing retail space from the ground floor, as it is a space above the shopping area. In addition, there is a housing need for small units locally, which this will provide for.”
She said such conversions of ’empty, unused space above retail units’ were to be encouraged because of there being no resulting loss of greenspace or wildlife habitats. It would also encourage more people to live in the Island’s town centres and support the local economy, Councillor Lowthion added.
An officer decision report said:
“The site is within a sustainable location that is well served by public transport links as well as services, facilities and amenities required for day-to-day living.
“In addition, it is accepted that there is a need for dwellings as well as one – and 2-bedroom flats in Newport. On this basis, officers are satisfied that the dwellings and flats are in an appropriate location for new residential units.”
A total of 3 conditions were added to the approval to comply with national legislation and Island planning policy and ensure suitable drainage.
It’s a great use of space well done WB&P