30 apartments would be created by the two schemes
SOME 30 apartments could be created in Leek as a former court building and a mill are converted into accomodation.
A planning application has been put forward to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council to create nine apartments at the Old Court House located in High Street, Leek.
And plans to convert a former Staffordshire Moorlands mill and antiques shop into 21 flats have been approved.
Developers had applied to convert P&J Antiques, in Chorley Mill on West Street, Leek, into one-bedroom studio apartments.
The scheme was submitted to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council last July – with the plans approved this week.
Speaking to the Post & Times last year, developer Peter Johnson said: “We are seeking to create high-end micro apartments for the benefit of the local community.
“Having spoken to a number of local professionals, we know Leek has a significant shortage of affordable accommodation andare seeking to respond to this by creating an exciting alternative to traditional accommodation, namely co-living.
“Co-living is a way of living in urban environments that is focused on community and convenience. so local people living within a community, sharing wonderfully designed shared spaces, with the comfort of ‘retreating’ to their own fully furnished private space at the end of the day.
“In addition, the Mill will have views of the Peak District, from the first and second floors.we provide everything anyone needs to make the most of living within a busy town.
“All bills are included in bill; rent, superfast internet, all utilities and taxes, with room cleaning if required.”
In their report approving the scheme, planning officers at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council said: “It appears that the recent past business occupants have been able to find alternative locations and certainly there are no longer any current users save for the owners, who are winding down their business.
“The building is in need of significant renovation and is sub-optimal as a space for modern-day light industry such that the necessary investment may be considered unlikely to be forthcoming.
“As a prominent and historically significant building in the Leek Conservation Area there is an added imperative to secure the necessary repair and renovation of the building and a viable future use. Having accepted the loss of the employment use, a residential use can readily be accepted given the ‘sustainable’ town centre location.”
It added: “Subject to limiting the total occupancy to 21 individuals as put forward in the application and subject to a range of further conditions it can be accepted that the scheme is supportable in accordance with the adopted Local Plan.”
Meanwhile, at the former court house, five of the flats would be on the first floor and four on the second floor – with seven having two bedrooms and two having three bedrooms.
The ground floor of the building is currently occupied by the Napoli Restaurant and Leek Post Office, neither of which would be affected by the proposal.
Access to the flats would be via the existing door on Field Street, according to a design and access statement submitted with the application.
The statement, produced by James Campbell Associates on behalf of the applicant, Piotr Szydlik of DBR Builders (NW) Ltd, said: “Each flat offers comfortable living space and ample sized bedrooms for end users. Existing openings remain as existing which retains the buildings aesthetic and character. New windows are provided as needed to accommodate new bedrooms and living spaces.
“At second floor the layout is equally as accommodating however includes the addition of an infill extension that will allow for Flat 9 to be maximised.
“Overall the proposal offers an ideal layout which maximises the number of potential flats within the existing floor space in a modern and comfortable manor with small and minor alterations to the existing building.”
It added: “The building occupies a sustainable location close to the junction of two classified roads and is readily accessible by numerous modes of public transport including major bus routes. Given this combination of local parking amenities and excellent access to public transport, it is not considered that the development would materially increase congestion.”
A public consultation on the plans is in place until October 21.
A decision is expected by planners within the next eight weeks.