Flats proposed for redundant shop in Shrewsbury town centre
A former town centre shop which has stood empty for three years could be converted in to eight flats under plans submitted to Shropshire Council.
The old Argos building on Claremont Street, Shrewsbury, could be turned in to six one-bedroom flats and two two-bedroom units.
Under plans put forward by Steve Wontner, who runs Artemis Developments of Chorley Wood in Hertfordshire, the three storey building would be transformed in to the units which would then be put on the open market.
The flat roofed 1960s concrete structure would be given a dramatic overhaul with new windows and stone effect cladding. An exterior staircase at the rear of the building would also be removed.
The first and second floors are currently redundant although various proposals have previously been investigated for bringing back the first and second floors into use which have included, retail, offices and residential. Previously they have been used as a gym. The ground floor, which housed Argos has also been used by a company selling discounted furniture.
Under the plans, the Northern Light roof structure would be removed and a new structure, enabling the property to be converted without extending the height of the structure above the level of the existing second floor which is located towards the front of the property, would be created.
Each flat will have an entrance lobby and foyer with all rooms located off. Principle rooms within the flats will all have external windows in the most part utilising original openings.
In a design statement by Shrewsbury-based architects qu-est design and planning Andrew Balshaw said: "The front and rear elevations will be altered only slightly to accommodate replacement curtain walling and windows which will generally match the fenestration details of the originals but using a grey powder coated aluminium frames.
"The second floor extension walls will be finished with a lead grey rain-screen cladding and the roof will incorporate a traditional eaves and a low pitched roof. This differs from the solution previously agreed with planners but we feel is a more contemporary solution without dominating the building. The windows will incorporate casements but these will not be the 'dormers' previously approved."
The plans will now be considered by members of the council's planning committee before permission is granted.
The Argos store closed in January 2012, but the town also has a branch on the Meole Brace Retail Park.
