Plans to turn former Osbornes Stationers building on Kirkgate, Newark into residential units supported by Newark Town Council

A proposal to turn a former stationery shop in the heart of Newark into residential units has been supported.

The application was submitted by OTP Construction Management Ltd for the building on 36 Kirkgate, which has been vacant since Osbornes Stationers closed down in November 2023.

The plans are for the provision of five houses of multiple occupation (HMO) across the first and second floors and a one-bedroom flat on the ground floor.

Laurence Goff was supportive of the application as a lot of people working for big employers within the area such as Bakkavor and care homes are coming from other areas to save money and live.

He added: “People are choosing these places and smaller units because there is a need for it.

“You might not like the idea but these people are choosing to live in smaller places to then afford a bigger place.”

The existing glazing on the property is set to be retained or repaired as required, and all windows will be cleaned and painted in chalk white aside from the ground floor commercial unit windows, which are noted as not requiring improvement, simply a clean.

An existing entrance door is situated to the left of the commercial property which leads to an external staircase to the upper floors and beyond the staircase is the access to the ground floor flat.

The proposal is designed to not alter in anyway the frontage of the building and utilise existing access points.

Barbara Corrigan, who has previously raised concerns about applications for smaller living units, said she was also supportive of the plans as long as they work with the conservation officers.

Newark Town Council planning committee supported the proposal for the listed building but said it was subject to the conservation officer's comments.

They would also welcome consideration of cycle parking and bin storage within the building.