Plans to convert 'prominent' Chesterfield town centre building into flats welcomed

Chesterfield and District Civic Society says it ‘strongly supports’ proposals to transform the upper floors of the building at 9 to 21 Stephenson Place, which are currently being considered by Chesterfield Borough Council.

Developers Sycamore Estates want to create a total of nine apartments in the building and have also asked for permission to alter windows at the rear.

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Philip Riden, chairman of the civic society, said: “The civic society committee wishes to strongly support this application, which will bring back into beneficial use the upper floors of this prominent building of around 1900.

"The scheme accords well with the Borough Council's declared policy of encouraging the creation of more reasonably priced residential accommodation in the town centre, which the civic society also firmly supports.

"We can see nothing to criticise in the proposals.”

A report by Chesterfield Borough Council planning officer Alan Morey said initial assessment of the proposals suggested they supported the principle of ‘locating residential development in walking distance of range of key facilities’.

He said the plans would also ‘enhance the range and qualities’ of housing provision within the town centre area.

"No parking provision is included in the development,” Mr Morey’s report says.

"Given the central, highly accessible location, and the type of accommodation to be provided, this does not seem inappropriate.

"However, I note that no provision is made for external or internal cycling storage. Provision should be made where possible.”

The civic society believes the large block of shops and former offices dates in its modern form just after 1900, was previously part of Knifesmithgate and much narrower than it is today.

The only building on Stephenson Place to survive from before the rebuilding is the Rutland Arms pub.

Historic England team leader Tim Allen said he had no objection to the plans.

Last month, similar plans to convert the vacant first, second and third floors of another prominent town centre building, at the junction of High Street and Packers Row, into flats was given the green light.

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