PLANS to convert a charity shop into a house have been approved by Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Permission was sought to turn the former Life Church Restore shop at 101 Runcorn Road, Barnton, into a residential property.

Applicant Andrew Webb intends to change the use of the the retail property into living accommodation and instal a new frontage.

A similar planning application was approved in 1995 but does not appear to have been implemented as the ground floor was still a retail unit in 2000.

The change of use will see a living room, dining room, kitchen and utility room on the ground floor and two bedrooms upstairs.

The first floor is currently used as two store rooms for the shop.

The building does not have any off-road parking and there are parking restrictions directly outside the property.

Planning officers do not believe this would pose a problem for residential accommodation as there is easy access to facilities and a bus route along Runcorn Road.

The property is within a residential area and council officers say there is no risk of contamination of flood to the building.

The proposed alterations include removing the shop front and installing a domestic front door and living room window.

The applicant has reassured the council that the conversion would be in keeping with the existing property.

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The Restore charity shop is now based at the main church in Blackcroft Avenue and generates income to fund international mission projects in Romania, India and Barnton.

Due to lockdown the shop is currently closed but is well supported by the local community.

Over the years donations of DVDs, CDs and all types of bric-a-brac, clothes, toys, books and ornaments have helped to pay for a wide range of work to support people living overseas.