Plans approved for 15 new apartments above city centre cafe

Plans to create 15 apartments above a cafe in Wrexham city centre have been given the go ahead.

An application was submitted to Wrexham Council in September last year to convert offices located above the Priory Cafe into flats.

The proposals by GM Holdings Ltd relate to the upper two floors of the building on Priory Street, which are currently empty.

It will also see a new third storey added to the property to accommodate four of the apartments.

The scheme has now been given the green light by planners from the local authority.

It comes after agents acting on behalf of the applicant claimed it would provide a “new character” to the area.

In a design and access statement, they said: “The property is an existing block of commercial retail on ground floor with offices above which have been vacant.

“The applicant wishes to bring the property back to life through sensitive repairs and new extensions that fulfil the potential of the property that can then be re-purposed and provide a new character to the area.

“The building is located Just off the corner of Priory Street and Hill Street.

“The property is well positioned within a Wrexham with convenient access to public transport connections.

“There are a number of bus stops a short distance away from the property.

“There are also a number of amenities in very close proximity to the site within a mix of residential and commercial frontages.”

Documents published on the council’s website show the proposals were approved subject to the developer entering into a legal agreement.

It will require the applicant to make a payment towards improving public spaces on Lord Street in the city centre.

By Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter