THE latest Crewe planning applications include the scheme to convert the former offices of an insurance firm into a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO).

Developers want to turn the property into eight separate living spaces on both its ground and first floor. Previously, the premises on Broad Street, at its crossroads junction with West Street, used to house a branch of Swinton Insurance.

Cheshire East Council approved plans for the conversion in 2019 and now The Kismet Property Group has submitted minor amendments to the floor layout and elevations.

The building is being subdivided into eight separate bedrooms with en-suite facilities and a ground floor kitchen.

The planning application will be decided under the council's delegated powers.

Meanwhile, the growth of 5G networks has seen planners field an application to site a 20-metre telecomms mast on Edleston Road near to its junction with High Street.

Hutchison 3G UK Ltd says its antennae will help provide new 5G coverage in the area and will also boost the existing 4G capacity.

Three-storey building and trees in the immediate area will provide screening and the firm says there will be a "minimal visual impact" on the surrounding area.

Alternative sites were mooted for the mast, including on Mill Street, the Oak Street car park and on top of the Christadelphian Hall in Edleston Road. The latter was discounted because the church roof is not high enough and the telecomms firm believe the proposed location will provide the better coverage.

The developers of Crewe's Royal Arcade, Peveril Securities, have applied for permission under the council's delegated powers to demolish the former Wetherspoons public house in Victoria Street.

The whole town centre site is currently under a demolition project being carried out Cawarden, but the pub site has been left standing under the recent work. Planning rules for general demolition work exclude public houses, so a separate planning application has been made.

Cheshire East Council says planning applications to redevelop the whole site bounded by Victoria Street and Queensway, along with those for a new bus station and a multi-storey car park are expected to be made in the next two to three months.

Other planning applications include a householder who has proposed a single-storey rear extension to a property at 6 Albion Street.