Plans which aim to "breathe new life" into Longton town centre have been approved by Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

The applicant, Mr Imran Rashid, has been granted permission to transform vacant offices on The Strand into retail units and residential accommodation.

The ground floor will contain one retail unit and self-contained residential apartments whilst the first and second floor will have two HMOs, formed by five en-suite bedrooms.

Six cycle spaces will also be created for residents as free parking is limited in the immediate surroundings. 

A Statement of Significance says: "The intention is to make the ground floor suitable for two independent shops or commercial facilities. The shops will be of beneficial interest to the surrounding town. 

The vacant offices will have one retail unit and two five-bedroom HMOs (Nub News).

"This will be let out to commercial tenants endeavoring to seek for passing clientele for things like massages or relax-therapy type treatments for the southernmost unit. The northernmost unit would be a suitable coffee cafe or barber shop or estate agents."

An Officer's Report, published by the council last week, said: "The building is currently in a poor state and requires improvements which would be welcomed.

"The existing shopfronts have fallen into a state of disrepair. As part of the proposals the applicant proposes a replacement shopfront.

"This has been considered by the Council's Design and Conservation Officer who has no objections to the proposals and is satisfied that the proposed materials are acceptable given that hardwood is to be used.

"The proposal is considered to be acceptable in terms of design, amenity and highway safety and would deliver sustainable development in accordance with the NPPF. Given the above, the application is recommended for approval."

------------

READ MORE: Hundreds sign petition calling for the council to stop housing people at Stoke-on-Trent hotel

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Stoke Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our city.

Please consider following Stoke Nub News on Facebook or Twitter.