Space above a former town centre Carphone Warehouse store on the Isle of Wight could be converted into flats.
The Isle of Wight council has received an application for the creation of two one bedroom flats above the former shop, on Newport High Street.
Applicant Mr Warrell is looking to convert the second floor of the building into a residential space, according to the planning proposal’s design and access statement.
Sits within Newport Historic Town Centre Conservation Area
The town centre site is not listed – defined as a building or structure with “special architectural or historic interest” – but is located in the Newport Historic Town Centre Conservation Area.
51 High Street sits next to the now disused Woolwich Equitable Building Society, a grade II listed building.
Grade II buildings are “particularly important buildings” and account for around 5.8% of listed buildings, according to historic environment public body Historic England.
The new flats will be fitted out to a high standard
A new entrance would be created to the left of the building’s shopfront along with a new passageway and staircase connecting to the first floor level.
The design and access statement reads,
“The new flats will be fitted out to a high standard with insulated dry lined perimeter walls, replacement sash windows that are double glazed and draught proofed.
“A shower room and WC will be provided together with a large kitchen/living/dining room.
“The scale and nature of the proposed development is designed to be mindful of context and therefore aims to sit within the existing townscape sympathetically and to be in keeping with the surrounding properties.”
“Minimal interventions” to the building’s exterior
Only “minimal interventions” to the building’s exterior would be made including a “like for like” second floor window replacement along with “general maintenance”, which according to the application’s Heritage Statement were granted consent in January 2022.
The document claims exterior proposals would aim to “complement” the character of the “surrounding Conservation Area”.
Island Roads made no objection to the proposal, due to the lack of any implications for the highway network.
View the plans
You can view the plans on the council’s planning register (24/01399/FUL).
The public consultation runs until Friday 25th October 2024.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
