A fresh plan has emerged for a prominent former vet’s surgery building close to Mansfield town centre – after an original scheme for an HMO was thrown out.

The building at 25 St John’s Place, off Rosemary Street, used to house the respected D. Brown veterinary practice, which earned excellent reviews on Google, gleaning an average score of 4.6 out of five.

However, it has been vacant for several years since the owner and operator of the business died, leaving residential accommodation above the surgery also empty.

Last November, Mansfield District Council received a planning application to convert the building into an eight-bedroom, eight-person HMO (house in multiple occupation), aiming to “provide high-quality, affordable accommodation” and “addressing the growing demand for shared housing in Mansfield”.

The former vet's surgery on St John's Place, Mansfield that could soon be converted into a three-bed house -- after plans for an HMO were thrown out. (PHOTO BY: Google Maps)

placeholder image — The former vet's surgery on St John's Place, Mansfield that could soon be converted into a three-bed house -- after plans for an HMO were thrown out. (PHOTO BY: Google Maps)

The council rejected the scheme on the grounds that it “represented an over-intensive and unsympathetic form of development that failed to respect the character of the building or the constraints of the local highway”.

Planning officers also noted that “the introduction of an eight-person HMO in this specific location, which suffers from high crime levels, would exacerbate existing social issues and erode community cohesion”.

Now, the council has received a new application to turn the former surgery into a three-bedroom home, without any need for external alterations.

The applicant has not been named, but the agent for the proposal is Toby Deacon, of the Brighton-based real estate agent, Lewis and Co Planning Ltd.

His planning statement reads: “The building is no longer in active commercial or residential use. In its current condition, it does not make an effective or beneficial contribution to the vitality of the area.

"The applicant seeks to secure the long-term re-use of the building through its conversion into a single, high-quality residential dwelling.

"The proposal represents a logical and sustainable alternative use. The development would contribute positively to the local environment and ensure the continued maintenance and occupation of the building.”

The statement also stresses that the scheme would have no adverse impact on highway safety. It would include two off-street parking spaces – one on the driveway and one in the property’s garage. Access to public transport was also good.

The council’s planning officers are currently considering the scheme and have set a deadline date of Thursday, April 16 for a decision or recommendation.

Other planning applications received by Mansfield Council include these:

10 Millway, Mansfield Woodhouse – single-storey extension to existing unit for storage purposes.

30 Lichfield Avenue, Mansfield – single-storey rear extension.

159-161 Newgate Lane, Mansfield – single-storey rear extension to increase floor area of proposed retail shop, with amended rear access to existing first-floor flats, incorporating new steel balustrade.

Sir John Cockle pub, 114 Sutton Road, Mansfield – retrospective advertisement consent for internally and externally illuminated signs.

182 Skegby Lane, Mansfield – single-storey rear extension and alterations.

23 Lindley Street, Mansfield – change of use from terraced house to two flats.

Land on south side of Welbeck Road, Mansfield Woodhouse – work to trees and hedges within conservation area.

10 Lindhurst Lane, Mansfield – work to one tree and removal of another, covered by preservation orders.

30 Harvey Road, Mansfield – two-storey extension, conversion of garage to gym, new wraparound roof to garage with two roof lights, extension of pitched roof and alterations to driveway.

3 Hewett Street, Warsop Vale – conversion of existing garage to shower/wet room and bedroom with rear extensions.

35 Shilling Road, Mansfield – fence to side boundary.

74 Sutton Road, Mansfield – two-storey extensions to front, side and rear, with new roof accommodation, new second-floor living space, expanded render finish and new access, parking and turning space at front, with new dropped kerb.

Land at rear of Boggs Cottages, Lindhurst Lane, Mansfield – provision of pond and associated drainage works.

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/