THE removal of a mid 1950s flat roof extension on an Elizabethan town centre building has been approved by planners.

The new scheme for the former antique shop in Ross-on-Wye’s Brookend Street was judged to have “no detrimental effect” on the character of the listed building, with only minor alterations to the internal first floor layout, with the insertion of three conservation rooflights the only other alterations.

Herefordshire Council gave the go ahead for the conversion of the first floor rear extension and demolition of part wall and flat roof addition to provide self-contained residential accommodation

The main Grade II-listed Tudor building is a former antiques/commercial premises spread over three floors, with the main entrance directly off Brookend Street, and a rear entrance provided off Butchers Ally to the side of the building.

An entrance to the upper floors is accessed off an existing steel staircase to the recently approved apartment.

The ground floor will remain as a commercial unit with no alterations proposed apart from the insertion of a new internal staircase accessed off the existing /original doorway, while a new acoustic/fire proof partition will separate the stairs from the retail area.

The first floor will be converted to provide an open plan bedroom/kitchen/lounge/dining area with rooflights being incorporated into the pitched roof.

Planning officer Chloe Allen-Hewitt observed that the proposed development would deliver a one-bedroom dwelling in a sustainable town centre location and added: “The development would deliver social benefits due to its sustainable location close to services, public transport, and employment opportunities.

“The development would also secure re-use and future management of a currently unused and derelict part of the building which is Grade II Listed.

“It is considered that planning permission should be granted. The impacts of loss of the area of commercial floorspace is not considered to significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the proposed development.”