Plans for six new flats above commercial units in Longton town centre have been approved by Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

Caldmore Residential Ltd applied for permission to change the use of the upper floors of 4-6 Market Street, Longton, to six residential apartments back in May.

They also proposed a number of external alterations, including new shopfronts, security shutters, windows, doors and roof lights.

4-6 Market Street is currently two commercial shops on the ground floor, but the storeys above have been vacant for some time.



The developer also proposed new shopfronts for 4-6 Market Street (Nub News).

A Heritage Statement, submitted as part of the application, says: "Records are unclear as to the building's original use, but remnants of the original Edwardian shopfront indicate that there has always been a retail/commercial use at ground floor, likely with residential accommodation above.

"The proposed conversion of the upper floors at No. 4-6 Market Street will have an overall positive impact upon the conservation area.

"These floors are currently unoccupied, which usually acts as a disincentive to owners to keep their buildings in a good state of repair. Conversion into residential accommodation should safeguard a viable use that warrants continued maintenance."

These plans were approved by the local council on 20 September and an Officer's Report says: "The proposals would result in improvements being carried out to the entirety of the external fabric of the building and would make effective use of an existing building to provide additional homes with an overall benefit to the town centre and conservation area.

"The proposed changes to the shopfront are acceptable and, on balance, the residential accommodation proposed is considered to accord with policy."

Two one-bedroom and four-two bedroom flats will be created and no change will be made to the three existing parking spaces available.

This comes after plans to convert the upper storeys of 5-7 Market Street into flats were rejected last year. Read more about those plans here.

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