Go ahead given from former Chesterfield Wilko to be turned into 'aparthotel'
The former Wilko has been closed since late 2023
Derbyshire planners have given the go-ahead to convert a massive former Wilko store in Chesterfield town centre into a modern facility with hotel apartments, a business centre and a gym for tourists and visiting workers.
Chesterfield Borough Council’s planning committee voted by a majority to approve JBSL Holdings Ltd’s planning application at a meeting at Chesterfield Town Hall, on February 23, to change and extend the former homeware and hardware store on Vicar Lane and South Street, in Chesterfield, to form a 70-unit ‘aparthotel’.
A council spokesperson stated: “The proposed aparthotel will bring a significant number of accommodation units to Chesterfield town centre’s historic core, offering a convenient and premium option for both tourists wishing to stay in a central location near the Peak District National Park, and key workers requiring quality accommodation for extended periods.”
Plans for the vacant building, which can also be seen from nearby Beetwell Street, include an extension with a two-storey addition to most of the roof with changes proposed to the existing elevations of the building including new window openings, a shop front area and eaves to the historic facade on South Street.
The proposed lower ground floor will feature two retail units, a gym, a business centre, a substation, a refuse room and a new stairwell structure and outside cycle parking spaces in the service yard backing onto Beetwell Street.
Ground floor plans also include two retail units to the front of Vicar Lane and nine aparthotel units, while the proposed first floor will include 21 aparthotel units, and the second floor plans include a further 20 aparthotel units with proposed third floor including a further 20 aparthotel units.
The final proposed fourth floor includes a void to the lower floor, a further stairway, roof mounted solar panels and an associated enclosure.
However, an agent for properties on South Street including premises occupied by Fifty Shades of Beauty and John Nicholas salon has raised concerns about the development’s potential impact for these two businesses and other surrounding premises as well as fears for the potential impact on the character and appearance of the area including nearby historic buildings.
They also joined other representations made by Savills on behalf of Sheet Anchor Evolve Ventures Limited – owners of the Vicar Lane Shopping Centre – that the potential for noise impact needs to be considered with new residential accommodation.
The agent also pointed out that the planned increase in height of the building will create a more dominant presence by comparison with the surrounding two-to-three-storey high buildings.
A representative for Sheet Anchor Evolve Ventures Limited requested that the applicant undertakes a noise impact assessment to establish whether the proposed hotel would be acceptable in the context of the shopping centre area.
But the council stated it does not believe a noise assessment is required because there will be no material change to the service yard’s use and there will be no credible noise impact from the apartments on the service yard especially while building regulations will addresses acoustic protection.
The council conceded the scale of the structure will have something of an overbearing impact to the neighbouring units on South Street and this will lead to a further visual enclosure of the street scene.
It also recognised that South Street is often already in shadow due to its narrowness and the height of the existing buildings, but its says all these harms are not considered to outweigh the benefits of the scheme including regeneration and redevelopment for the area.
A council planning officer also told the committee meeting that there were concerns about the original proposed new height for the building but after a new approach with changes this is deemed to be acceptable.
A council spokesperson added: “The proposal includes a substantial two-storey extension to the building which will have some impacts upon the street scene, the setting of heritage assets and will, to some extent, be dominating and have an enclosing impact to South Street in particular.
“However, it is considered that, on balance, the harm identified is outweighed by the benefits associated with the regeneration and redevelopment of the site which will enhance and bring back into use a substantial vacant building within the town centre.”
The council also considered that the site is within the Town Centre Conservation Area and within the setting of a number of listed buildings including the St Mary and All Saints Crooked Spire Church, The Market Hall, two properties on South Street, The Spread Eagle public house, and two properties on Beetwell Street and one on Low Pavement.
But the council has argued that overall the revised design of the proposed extensions and alterations to the building are considered to be an enhancement despite there being some negative elements with the scheme and its Local Plan policy states that development will be expected to have an acceptable impact on the amenity of users and neighbours.
Derbyshire County Council’s highways authority raised no objections to the scheme and even though it recognised there will be no off-street parking provided it recognised that the site is in the town centre with good access and public transport facilities and car parks.
The applicants have also agreed to increase cycle parking spaces from 14 to 29 after the highways authority highlighted more spaces would be beneficial to encourage occupiers and staff to cycle.
The highways authority concluded there would not be an unacceptable impact on highway safety or a severe impact on congestion so there are no justifiable grounds on which an objection could be maintained.
Derbyshire County Council’s flood authority also raised no objections and the development aims to feed into the existing water mains for the site which is considered reasonable.
A council spokesperson added: “The scheme proposal in Chesterfield’s town centre aims to address the identified gap in the market for upmarket accommodation that serves both the tourism and key worker sectors.
“While Chesterfield has some tourist accommodation, more upmarket operators are considered lacking, with the only hotels of 4-star standard or above being Casa Hotel and Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa, both located outside the town centre at approximately 30 minute and one hour walks respectively from The Crooked Spire.
“Equally important is the shortage of quality key worker accommodation in central locations, which our proposals directly address through purpose-designed units suitable for extended stays by essential workers, contractors, and professionals.”
The council feels the new Vicar Lane Aparthotel will make use of a vacant and under-utilised site and it provides an appropriate development in a central tourist area while contributing to the supply of visitor accommodation and creating choices for those wishing to stay in the town while supporting the vitality and vibrancy of Chesterfield’s economy and creating jobs.
Its planning committee voted by a majority to grant planning permission for the new aparthotel subject to a number of conditions.
These include submitting measures to mitigate noise between the units and from exterior noise within the town centre for approval by the planning authority.
And that the aparthotel shall be used solely for temporary accommodation for holiday tourists and visiting workers due to its importance as a commercial unit, the size of the units, and light limitations which would make it unsuitable for long-term living.
Cllr Keith Miles, who voted against the scheme, said he was concerned that the length of temporary stays allowed at the aparthotel will be open-ended and no longer limited to a proposed six-month period.
A council officer explained it is likely working people staying at the aparthotel would return home at weekends and then keep the let for a balanced period and it is felt that this is acceptable.
The council also stipulated that bookings shall not be accepted from Government agencies, local authorities, or third-party organisations for the purposes of housing individuals on a semi-permanent or welfare basis.
Committee Chairperson, Cllr Ian Callan, was pleased to learn that the aparthotel will be able to provide temporary apartment-style living for visiting workers.
He told the meeting: “I can see this is a way forward for things and there is nothing worse than being stuck in a hotel room when you are working away from home.”
The vacant, former Wilko store, on Vicar Lane and South Street, in Chesterfield town centre, closed in October, 2023, after the chain went into administration.