WARRINGTON Borough Council has refused an application to transform an office building in Appleton Thorn into six apartments.

A number of reasons were provided by the council's planning bosses for refusing the application.

The application in particular was requesting an official change of use for the building from a Class E office block and workshop to six dwellings.

Warrington Guardian: The two-storey plans would have three apartments on each floorThe two-storey plans would have three apartments on each floor (Image: Silk Architecture)

It was determined that prior approval of the council was required, and this was refused by planning chiefs.

The application was submitted regarding a property off Arley Road, in Appleton.

Included in the plans were blueprints for six self-contained apartments, which all featured two bedrooms, ensuites, and kitchen facilities, as well as lounge/living areas, too.

The decision notice posted on the council's online planning portal reads:

1. The proposed development includes an additional area of land which is not deemed to be within the curtilage of the building which is the subject of this application; furthermore, the proposal includes the provision of additional windows in order to provide natural light to habitable rooms. These elements of the proposed development are not permitted development under Schedule 2, Part 3, Class MA of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended).

2. The area of land identified for vehicle parking is not considered to be part of the curtilage of the building which is the subject of this application. Therefore, it is not demonstrated that adequate and safe vehicle parking provision could be provided for the residential use. As such, the proposal is considered to result in unacceptable transport impacts and prior approval is therefore required and refused under paragraph MA.2. of Schedule 2, Part 3, Class MA of the General Permitted Development Order.

3. By virtue of the location of the building, within a commercial/industrial estate and immediately adjacent to the private driveway through the estate and buildings and yard areas within industrial use, the proposed new dwellings would be put at risk of being adversely affected by unacceptable levels of noise pollution. Consequently, the proposal is contrary to paragraph 174(e) of the National Planning Policy Framework and prior approval is therefore required and refused under paragraph MA.2. of Schedule 2, Part 3, Class MA of the General Permitted Development Order in respect of the impacts of noise from commercial premises on the intended occupiers of the development. 

This planning application was validated by Warrington Borough Council in January, with a decision issued in March.

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