Newark Town Council objects to conversion of offices into flats at The Arcade in the town centre

Objections have been made to plans to change the use of town centre offices into apartments.

The proposal, by Parkdale Estate, seeks to change the existing first and second-floor offices at 10A The Arcade, Newark, into two apartments.

Newark Town Council’s planning committee objected to the application.

However it supported the principle of residential use on the upper floors of retail units in the town centre.

It was objected to The Arcade application on the basis of the units being too small to provide appropriate living standards, which was considered unacceptable.

The developer also has no provision for bin and waste, it was pointed out.

A committee member, David Lloyd, said: “We accept the principle of this and welcome it to the town centre, however, given the application does not include provision of waste or arrangements of the removal of waste.

“There is no clear indication of provision for cycles, alongside the size offered this would appear to be over intensive and unacceptable in a town centre location.”

The applicant said bringing the space back into use would help transform the area.

The apartments would continue to share the main entrance door via the public footpath off Cartergate.

The external facade features will not be altered to ensure that the street scene is maintained.

The original internal walls will remain in its majority with limited openings to create the habitable spaces.

The application will be decided by Newark and Sherwood District Council.