PLANS to redevelop Staple Hill’s former Boots pharmacy, creating six flats, have been submitted to South Gloucestershire Council.
The plans include a three-storey extension to the back of the building to accommodate some of the new one-bedroom flats.
Boots closed its branch on the site in January, as part of a programme of 300 store closures across the country. The US-owned retailer declined say how man staff lost their jobs.
The building was sold at auction earlier this year for £296,000 by property agents Savills.
Kingswood-based DDP Renovations has applied for permission to replace the existing two-bedroom first floor flat with two one-bed flats.
A new flat would also be built on the ground floor, behind an area retained for use as a shop or office, with another two flats on the second floor and one in a third-floor loft conversion, which requires the raising of the roofline and a new roof.
The plans include a cycle store for six bikes but no car parking.
One comment on the plans had been received as the Voice went to print, by an objector who said: “Where are all the people who will live or work at the property park?”
In a planning statement supporting the application, agent Owen Hoare of Nimble Planning and Development said: “Parking restrictions apply on nearby roads and side streets, and prospective occupants would be aware that the flats do not include car parking.
“Due to these restrictions, indiscriminate parking is not possible, ensuring no negative impact on the broader highway network.
“Additionally, ample bicycle and waste storage will be available on the ground floor. Given the site’s sustainability and the lack of parking-related issues, the absence of parking facilities is considered acceptable in this context.”
Mr Hoare said the proposed changes would not have a “material impact” on the appearance of the building from the front, or impact the vitality of the high street.
He said the only external alteration would be the extension and a “minor increase” to the roof height.
The agent said the proposed extension would not harm occupiers of neighbouring buildings and complied with planning policies.
He said: “The flats are relatively compact and are likely to appeal more to young professionals than to families with children.”
The plans can be viewed and commented on by searching for application P24/01939/F in the planning section of South Gloucestershire Council’s website.