Houghton-le-Spring shop conversion into two-bedroom flat gets green light from Sunderland council
by Chris Binding · ChronicleLivePlans to transform a shop space in Sunderland into a two-bedroom flat have been given the green light by council development chiefs.
The planning department of Sunderland City Council has sanctioned plans for an establishment at 5 North View Terrace within the Houghton ward. Earlier this year, proposals were put forward requesting permission to convert a "ground floor shop unit and storage into a self-contained two-bedroom flat".
According to the planning documents, the site involves 'Chilton Wine Stores', with accompanying paperwork outlining intended modifications to the building. Designs for the ground floor envisage a living room space, combined kitchen/dining area, bathroom, and two bedrooms situated at the property's rear.
Additional detail from the planning application submitted indicates that the premises are presently occupied and that no "work or change of use [had] already started". The council's planning records also indicated proposed works to include "replacing the existing shopfront with domestic style double glazed windows and a domestic entrance door (alongside an existing which serves the upper floors) to afford exclusive entrance to the planned flat".
Council planning documents also confirmed works would include “replacing the existing shopfront with domestic style double glazed windows and a domestic entrance door (alongside an existing which serves the upper floors) to facilitate exclusive access to the proposed flat”.
After considering the planning application and assessing it against planning policies, Sunderland City Council’s planning department approved it last month (November, 2024). Council planners, in a published decision report, said the change of use was acceptable and that the site was in a “sustainable location” and would “make a minor contribution to the delivery of residential accommodation”.
It was also noted that the “addition of the front door, smaller windows and render” would not appear as an “incongruous addition to the property or wider street scene of this section of North View Terrace”.
The council decision report adds: “It is considered the principle of changing the ground floor to a flat is acceptable. The proposal would cause no harm to the visual amenity of the street scene or host property and is unlikely to cause significant harm to the amenity of existing residential occupiers in the locality, given the prevailing mix of residential and commercial accommodation in the area.
“The prospective occupiers are also considered to be afforded an adequate level of amenity, whilst the proposal would not be considered to impact negatively on highway or pedestrian safety, ecology, or in relation to contaminated land.”
For more information on the planning application or council decision, visit Sunderland City Council’s planning portal website and search reference: 24/01718/FUL
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