Former offices in the middle of a Herefordshire town can now be turned into five flats.

Hillrow Homes asked in January for confirmation that it could convert former solicitors’ offices to the rear of 15 The Homend, Ledbury.

Under what are known as permitted development rights, commercial properties can be converted into homes without full planning permission, so long as they meet a list of criteria.

RELATED NEWS:

Herefordshire Council’s highways engineer Katy Jones pointed out that there was no mention in the proposal of either car or cycle parking, but later clarified that this was not a consideration for a proposed change of use under permitted development rights.

Hereford Times: The new flats will be through the arched passage to left The new flats will be through the arched passage to left (Image: Google Street View)

With no official or public objections to the plan, nor any conflict with the rules for such a conversion, planning officer Joshua Evans approved it.

The spot “is very sustainable location with good access to local facilities and to the public transport network”, he said.

OTHER NEWS:

And while on-street car parking and nearby car parks are available, “reliance on the private car is not required”.

Conversion of the two- and three-storey building must be completed within three years in accordance with Hillrow’s submitted plans.

A plan for The Southend nearby in Ledbury, again for five flats in a former solicitors’ office, was approved in October, while a further five flats could also be created in the Royal Hall off The Southend in a proposal due to be decided on shortly.