Council officers have refused a change of use application by developers to turn part of the former B&M supermarket in Nantwich into 20 apartments.
Suraj Gangani and Anshul Raja, of Apavi Group Holdings, bought the building on Swine Market in May and want to convert most of the building into apartments.
The plans – for eight compact one-bed flats for a single person, seven larger one-bed flats for two people, and five two-bed flats for three people – also include retaining the front section of the ground floor for a shop.
They revealed they had already spent nearly £200,000 on internal works at the site.
But the change of use application – from commercial/business to residential – submitted to Cheshire East Council was decided by officers under “delegated authority” and not by councillors.
And they have rejected the change of use application, partly because they say work had already started “contrary to the Town and Country Planning Order 2015” before a decision was made on whether prior approval was required.
In their decision, the council also noted: “The proposed external alterations comprising of external cycle storage and bin stores are not permitted under the provisions of Schedule 2, Part 3, Class MA of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended).
“As such the proposed development does not benefit from permitted development rights and prior approval is refused.”
Dozens of objections to the plans were lodged with Cheshire East, including from Nantwich Town Council.
There are fears among some in the town it would be turned into an HMO designed to house asylum seekers, and that it could change the character of the town.
But the developers, in an interview with Nantwich News, denied this and said their aim was to “modernise and futureproof” the building which had stood empty for two years.
“Applying for a HMO is a totally different planning process and application,” they said.
“We have never done one or own any. It’s not our bag for all the reasons people do not like them – usually low quality and do not enhance a town.”
We have contacted the developers for their reaction to the decision.
You can read the application and decision notice here
The plans can be viewed on the Cheshire East Council website here.
Good news now refuse mfg at morrison 24 hour garage Greg’s and burger king
Town doesn’t need them and a residential area
The decision to refuse this planning application is absolutely correct. I think this is my very first Well Done to Cheshire East Council. Common Sense at last. Many Congratulations .
Very pleased to see this patently silly application has been knocked back. Not sure what the solution to Nantwich’s problems is, alongside many other towns and cities around the country; but jamming poor quality battery hutch dwellings (I won’t dignify them with the descriptor ‘homes’) into unsuitable buildings in town centres is certainly not it.
Nantwich is town centre is sleeping walking into oblivion,,led by Cheshire East and people so negative that they could work for Kodak. The simple facts are , people buy online, demographics of Nantwich are changing, old way is not necessarily the right way.Yes we need to embrace the shops we have and CE need to think on how they can help traders . However the Town need to breath new life in the Centre by painting a vision that respects Nantwich rich history build a vibrant sustainable Town centre which includes people residing in the Centre and understanding what our younger population want in Nantwich. There is a “tipping pint” on the horizon and Nantwich will become a ghost town if it continues to do what it always has and expects a different result.
Good, still wonder what is going on with the old W H Smiths though.
It isn’t a building which is suitable for housing. There isn’t any natural daylight and the building is adjoined on two sides by other buildings. Concur, no parking facilities and no outdoor space for these apartments. Nonsensical idea. More shopping facilities are needed in the centre of town, not housing. Also don’t need any more coffee shops and the like.
parking at snow hill, gone are the days when you have guaranteed parking in town, probably trying to encourage public transport use anyway it has been refused permission for now
Minimum 20 adults, is there any provision for parking ?