Shop in Mansfield closed since 1980s -- but new use still needs planning permission
The council didn’t like it when a shop in Mansfield Woodhouse took on a new use and a new look – even though it had been closed since the 1980s!
Full planning permission was needed for the small, terraced property at 87 Leeming Lane South, said Mansfield District Council officers.
So a retrospective planning application has had to be submitted to rubberstamp a refurbishment and conversion, which transformed the rundown former shop into a three-bedroom residential house.
According to property websites, the building was sold in March 2025 for £41,000. According to the application, work on it started two months later and was completed by the start of this year.
The change-of-use application has now been lodged with the council by Mark Hymas, backed by his agent, Harwood-Stone Design Ltd, an architectural services company, based in Chesterfield.
A statement compiled by Harwood-Stone explains: “The property historically operated as a small retail shop serving the local area.
"However, the commercial use ceased more than 40 years ago, and the premises have remained unused for retail since that time.
“The building has effectively ceased functioning as a commercial property for several decades, so it is now proposed to return it fully to residential use.
"The surrounding area is predominantly residential in character, so the proposed use is considered entirely compatible.
"There is no realistic prospect of, or demand for, the premises to operate again as a retail unit.
"The proposal represents a modest and sympathetic re-use of the building. No substantial external alterations are proposed.”
Harwood-Stone stresses the conversion has no adverse impact on neighbours and is likely to result in less activity, noise, disturbance and traffic than the former shop.
The council’s planning officers are now considering the scheme and hope to make a decision or recommendation before their deadline date of Monday, July 6.
Other planning applications received by Mansfield Council include these:
Rear of 15 Clipstone Road East, Forest Town – erection of detached dwelling to include independent access from Clipstone Drive.
63 Lime Grove, Forest Town – demolition of existing garage and outbuilding, erection of detached outbuilding and increase in height and opening of existing gates.
Land off Old Newark Road/Redruth Drive, Mansfield – discharge of condition (traffic management measures) attached to plan for construction of 156 new homes with associated infrastructure.
Area at front of 303 Nottingham Road, Mansfield – work to tree covered by preservation order.
254 Ladybrook Lane, Mansfield – two-storey side extension.
Leeming Lane car wash site, Leeming Lane North, Mansfield Woodhouse – discharge of conditions attached to outline plan for construction of two units for use of car washing and valeting. The conditions relate to construction environment management plan, ecological enhancement plan, surface and foul water drainage and materials.
30 Robin Down Lane, Mansfield – proposed wraparound, single-storey extension, with associated internal alterations.
13 Lime Grove, Forest Town – addition of second storey, plus two-storey front extension and single-storey rear extension.
181 Sherwood Street, Warsop – new dwelling with dropped-kerb access.
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/