Plans to extend and convert two prominent commercial buildings in Crewe into 108 town centre apartments have been recommended for approval.

Packwood Ventures Ltd has applied for permission for the remodelling, extension and part change of use of Breeden House and Regency Court.

The scheme includes redeveloping the existing three-storey building fronting Edleston Road and High Street into a seven-storey property comprising nine ground floor retail units fronting Edleston Road and a total of 108 one and two-bed apartments across the proposed seven storeys.

No affordable housing is proposed because a viability assessment commissioned by the council says the scheme cannot afford it.

A report from the council's planning officer to next week's meeting of the southern planning committee says: "The council cannot currently demonstrate a five-year housing land supply and the addition of 108 residential dwellings to the housing stock is afforded significant weight."

"The applicant proposes construction by way of a 'TopHuis' method, whereby part of the existing fabric of the building is to be retained to reduce the amount of carbon released during the construction process."

The new residential development would be close to the Crewe Youth Zone, which is currently being constructed on the former Oak Street car park.

The report says: "There is the potential for noise from this neighbouring use. However, the development is acceptable in noise terms.

"It should also be borne in mind that this neighbouring use has hours of use condition which means that there would not be noise from this use during the night."

Crewe Town Council and a handful of residents have raised concerns about parking, as the proposal includes just 24 spaces.

The planning officer's report says: "Car ownership data for apartments in the centre of Crewe indicate low levels of ownership.

"Approximately 70 per cent of residents will not own a car and total car ownership is expected to be in the region of 40 cars."

It says the anticipated shortfall of around 15 spaces is considered to be acceptable 'given the town centre location and the proximity to frequent public transport services and a large number of destinations'.

The southern planning committee meeting takes place at 10am on Wednesday 29 July at Delamere House in Crewe.

READ MORE: Council urges Prime Minister to back new rail link through Crewe.

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