Plans to transform Britannia Works factory into 54 apartments in Coleshill Road, Atherstone

[dutchman]

Plans to transform a former factory into apartments in Atherstone are to be discussed by borough planners next week.



The application to convert the Britannia Works factory buildings, in Coleshill Road, into 54 apartments has been recommended for approval by planning officers – but the final decision will be made by councillors on the planning committee at their meeting on Monday (January 16). Members of Atherstone Civic Society are hoping that the scheme, which would see the alteration of a listed building, gets the go-ahead, saying that the site has been 'shamefully neglected.'

Judy Vero, honorary secretary for the Atherstone Civic Society, said: "It's a great scheme, however we thought that only the rear parts of the building needed to be demolished – but quite a lot of the building is to be demolished. This building has been shamefully neglected, the scheme itself is very interesting with a mixture of modern and old, as well as a great view from the canals.

"The only drawback is that Coleshill Road is very busy for car parking and there really isn't much space for further parking."The council has so far received four letters of objection regarding the application to transform the building, which has served as a factory in Atherstone since the 1800s.

Judy added: "It's difficult when something is neglected and the council is very slow to take enforcement action. Let's hope that when they get the planning application, they will go ahead and quickly build it rather than just leave it."

The application consists of two one-bed studio apartments, nine one-bed apartments, 31 two-bed apartments, two two-bed apartments and 10 three-bed houses, with 59 car parking spaces. It will also include 59 car parking spaces within the site for residents to use.

The recommendation is that the application be accepted subject to time condition and the removal of permitted development rights from Part 1 Class E (outbuildings) and Part 2 (Minor Operations) – as well as an assessment on approved materials for the development.