Plans for new student flats in a former charity shop near Lancaster bus station have gone in for a decision.
The proposal is for six studio flats and a ground floor rental office at 1 Damside Street, in an empty building formerly home to The Children's Society charity shop.
The plans by owners Student Lettings Ltd, who bought the property in 2023, include raising the height of the building by adding two new storeys.
Their part-retrospective application is for the "change of use of shop with storage above, to a mixed-use unit comprising of a commercial unit at ground floor and six studio flats above, construction of a second and third floor extension including raised replacement roof, and installation of replacement windows and rainwater goods".
A design and access statement, submitted with the plans, says: "The building and therefore shop have been vacant and unused for a number of years which has a negative impact on the area and the surrounding context, especially as the building has fallen into some degree of disrepair.
"Applications were submitted by a previous applicant and agent to convert the shop into a hot food/takeaway and to request the installation of an extraction flue - the former being withdrawn and the later refused.
"The charity was long established in the location however vacated the premises. Despite the aforementioned applications, it is understood the premises have stood vacant until the purchase by the current owner and applicants, Lancaster Student Lettings, in March 2023.
"The applicant proceeded to make alterations to the interior of the building unaware of their obligations and following communication with the Local Planning Authority, now seek to retrospectively apply for permission for the change of use from shop to commercial/professional services office to the ground floor with student studio flats above.
"Recognising the unique opportunity of this unusual building and that it does not match the scale and massing of the immediate neighbouring buildings or surrounding context, the applicant wishes to explore the option to create a more sustainable and longer-term use by adding two additional storeys atop the existing building."
Lancaster City Council will make a decision on the planning application in due course.
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