13 apartments in Blackpool commercial buildings get go-ahead

Three studio, eight one-bed and two two-bed apartments have been granted permission in Blackpool for the sites of two commercial units on Watercourse Road.

Permission has been granted to developers Lascara Limited for the change of use of the first floor of Unit 7, The Plaza, from commercial to residential use. It will provide one studio apartment, three one-bed apartments and two two-bed apartments.

They have also been granted permission for the change of use from commercial to residential use of the ground and first floors of 44 Watercourse Road, to provide two studio apartments and five one-bed apartments.

The proposed development also includes the refurbishment of existing stairs, as well as the construction of balconies, installation of skylights, the replacement of windows and the provision of a cycle parking area.

More than 90% of the external fabric of the existing building will be retained in the 44 Watercourse Road building, and 58.9% in the Unit 7, The Plaza site.

A report by an acting senior executive planner with Cork City Council had raised concerns about floor space, communal open space, provision of storage, and the possibility of flooding.

However, a detailed response from the applicant demonstrated that there is sufficient communal open space and ancillary open space provided for.

Certain elements of the original development were redesigned, and the total number of apartments was reduced. 

Following this, an updated Housing Quality Assessment demonstrates that apartments exceed the minimum floor area standards.

A site specific Flood Risk Assessment was submitted as part of the response, with a drainage report recommending that permission be granted, leading to the acting senior executive planner also recommending granting permission.