A Grade II listed building which has stood empty for years in an Essex village could finally be refurbished and turned into flats and a commercial unit. The building in Church Street, Coggeshall has served many purposes over the years, but for the last few has stood vacant.
There are three commercial units across the site in Coggeshall, all of which have been empty for more than seven years. Previously, it was mooted in 2017 that the site could become purely residential properties, but this never got off the ground.
But now, a new planning application has been submitted to Braintree District Council suggesting the three units become four, and will be split between residential and commercial use. The application has been sent by Allen Planning Ltd.
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Under the plans, there would be one three-bed home; a one-bedroom flat on the first floor, one commercial unit on the ground floor and another commercial unit at the ground and first floor.
All of the buildings are Grade II listed and already have planning permission and listed building consent for the refurbishment and change of use of three commercial units which has previously been approved by the council.
The site is also within the Coggeshall Conservation Area which Braintree Council has protected for their special architectural or historic interest. There are also “remedial” works assessed by a Heritage Impact Assessment.
In their application to the council, Allen Planning Ltd said: “The alterations to the works undertaken on site as proposed would not only avoid harm to the heritage asset (Grade II) but actually positively restore some of the key features within the building. As such these applications are in complete harmony with the statutory test and also the relevant development plan policies in these regards.
“The application would not have a harmful impact on the amenities of intended residents and would avoid harm to nearby operating commercial enterprises and the proposed dwellings have been designed to meet the council’s residential standards.”