More flats are planned for Newport High Street — after a jewellers closed down.
The offices of the now-empty Warren James store in the upper High Street could be turned into three affordable flats, if a scheme by Oren Atlen, the building owner, is approved.
Shop premises to remain
In April, according to a sign in its window, Warren James was being asked to vacate the High Street shop due to coming to the end of its lease.
It had been a popular store since it opened in 2017, surrounded by other big national retail names such as Poundland, B&M, WH Smith and Specsavers.
Now, while the currently vacant commercial property on the ground floor would remain, plans could see changes upstairs and to the front of the shop.
Accessed from High Street
The entrance to the residential properties would be from the High Street.
The offices above the shop were previously accessed from the rear but to make more living space, that staircase would be removed and replaced by an extension.
Planning agents, Nova Architectural, said in documents submitted to the Isle of Wight Council, the proposal envisages modernising the internal floor layouts, removing partitions, and making use of the vacant floor space for affordable accommodation.
First floor flats
On the first floor, there would be a one-bed and a two-bed flat with another two-bed flat above.
There is a lack of natural light, planners say, so plan to add windows where possible to ensure there is enough natural light and a dormer on the top floor.
View the plans
You can view the plans, 22/01161/FUL, on the council’s planning register.
The public consultation runs until 12th August.
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
Image: Daniel McCullough under CC BY 2.0
