Plans for city-centre HMO

Vacant city-centre offices in Gloucester could be converted into a six bed house of multiple occupancy.

Elijah Willow Group wants permission from Gloucester City Council to convert 80 Westgate Street.

The plans for the four-storey terraced property would see a commercial unit remain on the ground floor with the upper floors converted into a HMO.

The developers believe this proposal does not have any detrimental effect to the building’s fabric.

And their scheme includes the introduction of wildflowers to the roof.

They say this would not only be attractive but also benefit the amount of surface water run of the existing roof creates by reducing reduce the volume of rainwater run-off.

Green roofs offer rare undisturbed habitat for wildlife as well as improving air quality through the capture of airborne pollutants, their plans say.

“Overall, we believe this scheme proposes very little determent to the existing buildings fabric. The existing façade is to remain untouched, with all its character to remain.

“We believe development and conversion of this building from a vacant commercial space to a multi-use property will encourage communities and individuals into the heart of the centre for inner city living.

“In our view inner city living is a key catalyst in reviving the high street economy which we hope you agree is necessary within the current climate. Without the development and repurposing of properties like this within our town, they are likely to remain vacant and fall into irreversible disrepair.”

People have until Thursday December 15 to comment on the proposals and can do so by visiting the council’s online planning portal and quoting 22/01140/FUL.

City planners are expected to consider the plans by Friday January 13.

By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk