An empty shop in Great Malvern could be converted into a three-bedroom house with no parking spaces.
Plans to transform the former Sarah Jane’s Interiors, at the back of Belle Vue Terrace, have been submitted to Malvern Hills District Council.
The building - known as the Coach House - forms part of the Grade II listed terrace and backs onto Malvern Goldsmiths.
The upper floors of the Coach House are already used as apartments but the proposal is to turn the building into a single three-bedroom house.
“Since the previous occupier vacated, there has been limited interest in retail use due to the ‘backland’ location,” Greenaway Planning says in documents submitted to the district council.
“No harm would also occur to the appearance of the retail frontage, with existing shop windows unaffected.
“The works are minor in nature and limited intervention is necessary to facilitate change of use.
“Whilst the site lies within the Great Malvern Conservation Area, the proposed change of use has limited implications due to the largely internal nature of the works.”
Planning documents don’t mention the provision of any car parking spaces, as the site is served by “an existing pedestrian entrance onto Belle Vue Terrace and no change to these access arrangements is proposed given the highly sustainable location”.
“As regards parking provision, the scheme is intended to promote sustainable transport options, albeit visitors could make use of the various town centre car parks.
“It should be noted that convenient pedestrian access is available to Great Malvern Railway Station and secure cycle parking could form a condition of any permission granted.
“An electric vehicle charging point is obviously not necessary for a ‘car-free’ development.”
Developers say the plans would bring about “modest economic benefits” in terms of employing local people, help with climate change objectives by re-using an existing building and would not harm the character of the Great Malvern Conservation Area.
Worcestershire Highways has raised no objection to the development as it is in a “highly sustainable location”.
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