Go-ahead for six new bedsits within old building in Mansfield town centre
A plan to create six new bedsits within part of an old building in Mansfield town centre has been given the go-ahead.
The one-bedroom studio flats will sit within office space on the first and second floor of 4-6 Leeming Street, above shops currently occupied by Phones Fix and Vape Zone.
The three-storey building, which is believed to date back to the late 19th century or early 20th century, was previously the home of Co-op Travel.
A planning application for a change of use for the offices, which are currently vacant, was submitted to Mansfield District Council by Pavanjit Singh, of the nearby mobile phone repair shop, Phone Corner, on Market Place.
Mr Singh, who hired Sutton man David Garbett as his agent for the scheme, stressed that no external alterations would be made to the property.
A planning statement says: “The building is within the conservation area of Mansfield town centre. But there will be no impact on the existing visual appearance and conservation elements. The existing ground-floor retail units would also remain unchanged.”
There will be three bedsits on each floor, and access will be via existing points at the rear.
A similar application for two flats was submitted in 2021 and categorised by the council as permitted development, with prior approval not required. However, the work did not go ahead.
In making the their decision on this current scheme, the council’s planning officers issued this statement:
“The change of use of the vacant upper floors of a building within the primary shopping area of Mansfield town centre to form six studio bedsits is considered to be appropriate.
“The principle of residential development in this location is acceptable and the creation of the bedsits can be achieved without any significant adverse impact upon the character and appearance of the area, including heritage assets or residential amenity.
“The proposal accords with the objectives of the Mansfield District Local Plan and the vision of the Mansfield Town Centre Masterplan and should, therefore, be approved without further delay.”
THE details of many planning applications can be found in public notices advertised by local and regional newspapers. To catch up on all the latest public notices, go to https://publicnoticeportal.uk/