Weaverham toilet block to be converted into offices

Plans were submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council to extend and convert the public toilet toilets in Church Street, Weaverham, for office use.

These proposals have now been approved by the council after previous plans for apartments on the site were withdrawn.

In a report recommending the application for approval, a council officer said: "The proposal would bring back into use an existing building, brought into viable use with a small scale extension in keeping with the existing.

"The highway issues previously a concern at the site have been resolved due to revised plans and changes to the operations of the highway in this location.

"The proposal will not have a detrimental impact on amenity, and would enhance the conservation area by by bringing the building back into a viable use."

In a design and access statement, prepared by Jay Ashall Partnership Architects, it says: "The application proposes minor extensions to the front of the existing building to fill in the stepped in areas of the building and provide a building of rectangular form on the site.

"The building would then be converted for office use. Some minor alterations are proposed to the size and character of windows to the north western and south eastern elevations of the building to provide natural daylight to the interior suitable for office working in terms of using the existing lintels but extending the current high level windows to create bigger openings.

"Escape windows are provided to the rear of the building. Internally, the proposals would provide an open plan reception area, private office, small meeting room, store, toilet and kitchenette area suitable for a small business.

"Two parking spaces have been provided to the front of the building. There is also a public car park immediately opposite the site which could also be used by any employees/visitors.

"The statement demonstrates there are no adverse impacts or conflicts with local planning policy which would prevent the application from being considered favourably.

“The proposals would reuse an existing but unused site in a sustainable location, providing economic benefits to the area which would be compliant with the Government’s strive for sustainable development and local planning policy for the economic regeneration using a previously developed site with an existing settlement boundary."

To view the plans, search reference 23/00900/FUL on the council's online planning portal.