Plans to convert Crewe Municipal Buildings Annex to provide flexible workspaces for individuals and small businesses, have been given the go-ahead.

Cheshire East's southern planning committee took less than 10 minutes on Wednesday 10 January to approve the application.

The approval will see the Annex [the extension at the back of the main building], used as a technology and design innovation centre (TADIC), to provide flexible, co-working office space for individuals and small start-up companies.

Cheshire East's southern planning committee took less than 10 minutes on Wednesday 10 January to approve the town centre application (Ryan Parker).

TADIC is part of the Future High Streets Fund programme to revitalise Crewe and is funded in full by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

The plans mean council workers currently based at the building will be relocated to Delamere House in Crewe.

Dane Valley councillor Andrew Kolker (Conservative), told the committee he knew from personal experience how difficult it is to find good accommodation for small business for meetings or day-to-day business.

"So for this to be in council property and in the centre of Crewe in a good location, I think it's absolutely marvellous and I'd like to propose approval," he said.

This was seconded by Brereton councillor John Wray (Conservative).

Committee chair and Labour councillor, Joy Bratherton, asked for the stones with the C&N (Crewe & Nantwich) motif be retained when building work starts (Cheshire East Council).

Committee chair, Joy Bratherton (Crewe North, Labour), asked for the stones with the C&N (Crewe & Nantwich) motif be retained when building work starts, for historical reasons.

The proposed works include the demolition and remodelling of internal walls, reconfiguration of toilet facilities and replacement of ceilings.

Externally, five windows and two doors will be removed to make way for a curtain wall and new frontage to the Annex via the courtyard.

The works will also involve remodelling the existing service yard into an outdoor courtyard, which includes the loss of half of the eight parking spaces.

Councillors were told there will be a 'neutral impact' on the grade II listed Municipal Buildings.

Willaston and Rope Conservative councillor, Allen Gage, was the only one to vote against the proposals (Cheshire East Council).

The application was approved with eight councillors voting in favour and one, Willaston and Rope councillor Allen Gage (Conservative), voting against.

A separate application for listed building consent for the same scheme was also approved with eight councillors voting in favour and one abstaining.

READ MORE: What's on in Crewe this weekend: Live music, shows, party nights and Crewe Alex.

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Crewe Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.

Subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter email HERE - just click the 'SIGN UP' button.

Please consider following Crewe Nub News on Facebook or Twitter.