Empty former offices could become flats

Former offices which have stood empty for nearly two years in a Shropshire town could be set for a new lease of life as apartments.

Six one-bedroom flats would be created in Clarence House in Market Drayton under the proposals by applicants Parry Jones Homes Ltd, who have lodged an application for prior approval for the scheme with Shropshire Council.

The building was last used as offices for a will-writing firm and as a hair salon in 2023.

Shropshire Council’s planning department will make a determination in due course.

Developers said in their application that the property sits in a “very sustainable” town centre location because of its location near the bus station and local facilities.

Papers stated: “Clarence House is a large three-storey semi-detached property in the centre of the town of Market Drayton, the unit has most recently been used as offices but has been vacant since February 2023."

“The building benefits from a very large floor area of 247.38 square metres and has historically been used as a residential property."

The documents said the building was located on Queen Street, within the Market Drayton development boundary where development is generally deemed acceptable.

Under permitted development rules, most commercial property can be converted to residential use without full planning permission.

However, approval is still required from the local authority for a change of use.

The government updated the rules earlier this year to include more properties by removing a maximum 1,500 square metre floor space limit and a requirement for premises to have been empty for three months.

In 2005, a neighbouring property on Queen Street was also converted from a former solicitors' office into apartments.

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