Backing for charity shop plan

12:30pm Wednesday 15th October 2008

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A SCHEME to convert a house into a ground floor charity shop with a maisonette above could be approved despite planners receiving 10 objections.

Weldmar Hospice Care Trust wants to make the conversion and various alterations at premises in Easton Square, Portland.

Members of today’s Weymouth and Portland planning and traffic committee will be told that the property is a Grade II-listed double-fronted shop which was built in the early-mid 18th century from Portland stone.

A report to the meeting says that 10 objections have been received so far which raise concerns about replacement windows, access, retaining a 'unique' property and the effect on Easton Square.

The report adds: “The sub-division of the rear single-storey kitchen to provide separate secure areas for the shop and maisonette would be a change to the internal arrangements.

“However, it is considered that in this particular instance it is acceptable.

“This property was built as a shop and retains many original fixtures and fittings.

“Converting the use back to a shop with living accommodation over, where the applicant proposes to retain the unique features and treat the whole building as sympathetically as possible is seen as the most appropriate way of conserving the historical and architectural integrity of the property.

“If altering some spaces is necessary to make the scheme viable and possible for the applicants then it is, in these particular circumstances, considered acceptable.”

The report says that site checks to investigate access concerns ended with officers feeling that the proposals were acceptable and that “access is generous in width”.

It adds: “As such it is not considered that the proposed change of use to a retail unit with living accommodation over would have a significantly adverse impact on the residential amenity of surrounding dwellings.”

Members will also be told that officers consider it 'somewhat perverse' to resist a change back from residential to the property’s previous use when it has large shop windows in its front elevation.

They will recommend the meeting to approve the application subject to various conditions including development, design, fixtures and fittings.