Former Wakefield city centre NHS office block to be converted into apartments
Wakefield Council planning officers have approved proposals to build 46 flats at White Rose House on West Parade.
A former NHS office building in Wakefield city centre is to be converted into an apartment block.
Wakefield Council planning officers have approved proposals to build 46 flats at White Rose House on West Parade.
The 1980s building was previously occupied by NHS staff but has been vacant for around six months.
The scheme involves building 45 one-bedroom apartments and one two-bedroom homes over five floors.
Nine one-bedroom flats will be created on the first floor, with 10 one-bedroom apartments on each of the second, third and fourth floors.
The fifth floor will contain six one-bedroom flats and one two-bedroom apartment.
The planning statement submitted on behalf of developer DBG Group Ltd said all properties would comply with national minimum space standards.
The report said: “White Rose House occupies a highly sustainable location on West Parade within Wakefield city centre.
“The site is within easy walking distance of Wakefield Westgate Railway Station, Wakefield Bus Station, retail facilities, employment opportunities and other day-to-day services.”
No external changes to the building are planned and the existing undercroft parking is to be retained to provide 12 spaces for residents.
A noise assessment submitted with the application said commercial noise was unlikely to cause issues for future residents.
No objections or comments of support for the scheme were submitted to the local authority by members of the public.
The council’s conservation officer raised concerns over the potential impact of the development on historic buildings within the nearby South Parade conservation area.
Approving the scheme, a planning officer’s report said: “Whilst the proposal may generate some additional parking demand, there is insufficient evidence to conclude that this would result in a material change to the character or appearance of the conservation area, or that any resulting impact would be so harmful as to warrant refusal of the application.”