Flats plan for former office building

A FORMER office building in Widnes town centre could be converted into 34 studio flats if councillors pass plans on Monday.

Property firm Osborne House Ltd has applied to carry out the work at Midwood House on Travis Street.

The building is near Widnes Police Station, Widnes Shopping Park and shops in Widnes Road.

A report to the council’s development control committee meeting said the scheme was a change of use and as such did not need to fulfil the usual criteria for planning applications – only highways impact, flood risk, contamination and noise from commercial premises could be considered.

The building is to have 52 parking spaces serving 34 units.

The report said that the project was not expected to have a ‘severe’ traffic impact, in part because of its location.

It added that there was no history of land contamination and that the flood risk was low. The building was also near amenities such as shops and bus services.

Planning officers have recommended that councillors should not oppose the plans.

Their report said: “The proposed residential use is considered to be compatible with the adjacent land uses and it is not considered that the impacts of noise from commercial premises would have a significantly detrimental impact on residential amenity.

“Based on the four considerations with this prior approval application, the proposal is acceptable and prior approval is not required.”

The plan will be considered on Monday, October 3, at the Municipal Building in Kingsway, Widnes.