PLANS have been submitted to create new flats above Dursley Post Office.

A change of use planning application was recently put forward to transform empty offices above the post office and convenience shop Dursley Local store in Silver Street.

The plans were officially submitted by applicant MSP Architecture to Stroud District Council on Wednesday, July 31.

Proposals include turning four old offices into two one-bedroom flats and one two-bedroom flats.

According to the floor plan, each apartment would also have its own living room, kitchen and bathroom.

It is understood the proposed scheme requires no external changes.

The applicant says that plans to rent the office space have failed in recent years, and that the new flats would help meet housing targets.

A planning document reads: “The proposal puts a vacant space within a town centre location back into meaningful use, assisting with the housing target.

“It will also assist with the government aim to provide a range of housing type, size etc, with new housing developments tending not catering for 1/2 bed units.

“The residential use of the site would be in keeping with the surrounding land use and the additional dwellings would not have an overbearing impact upon local services and facilities.

“The amount of development is largely pre-determined by the layout of the existing building, but careful thought has gone into the design to provide two 1- bed flats and one 2- bed flat.

“The occupiers would undoubtedly support local facilities and services and play a part in the local community and may also work in the area.

“In this sense, the proposal would help enhance social and economic development in this locality.”

It continues: “The first-floor offices above the Post Office have sat empty for some time and could be put to more efficient use without any negative impact.

“Considerable efforts to rent the office space have been made over recent years to no avail.

“Since Covid which saw a significant increase in homeworking, demand for office space has decreased considerably.”

You can view the application quoting S.24/1257/FUL or see here - tinyurl.com/2v7ztj3c