Plans to turn part of a Southport shop into flats have been refused over concerns about the views.
The proposals, to convert a section of the basement and ground floor of a shop on Eastbank Street near the centre of the resort town, would have involved creating two studio flats with views over a car park.
While plans to keep the front of the building as a shop meant that the application was not considered to “compromise the vitality and viability of the town centre” concerns were raised around the quality of living occupants would enjoy.
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The conversion would not have provided any outdoor space for the residents as well as offering poor quality views.
According to a Sefton Council planning officers report, the applicant’s agent argued that the lack of outdoor space was not a problem because the site is “within walking distance of a number of parks and the beach.”
This argument, however, was not accepted by officers who said it would have been more persuasive had the room sizes been larger than minimum spaces standards.
The report also stated that the lack of outdoor space and “poor level of outlook and prospect from the rear windows” would cause “significant harm” to future residents.
There was also an issue of privacy as one of the proposed flats would overlook the gardens of residential properties behind.
Although a lack of parking spaces for residents was deemed acceptable due to the building’s town centre location and there were no concerns at the impact on the town centre, yet officers concluded the plans must be refused to protect both existing and future residents.
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