Plans have been put forward to convert the former Nantwich town centre B&M unit into 20 apartments, converting three quarters of the ground floor and all of the first floor into residential.

Applicant, Mr Anshul Raja, of Apavi Group Holdings, has submitted prior approval for a change of use from commercial, business and service to residential at 10 Swine Market.

The applicant wants to convert the former multinational variety unit, which closed in April 2023, into 13 first floor apartments and seven ground floor apartments.

To the rear of the building, 20 bicycle spaces have been proposed, alongside residential refuge and recycling bins.

The applicant wants to convert the Swine Market building into seven ground floor apartments, along with a retail unit, comprising 223.9 square metres (CEC Planning).

Site access would be from the rear of the property, with three car parking spaces proposed that would be reserved for residents.

The applicant wants to keep the front section of the ground floor for commercial use, comprising 223.9 square metres.

A planning statement reads: "By promoting new homes in this highly sustainable town centre area, this application helps to reduce the need to travel to local facilities in accordance with the Local Plan.

"Furthermore, this encourages the use of public transport and the provision of secure and covered cycle storage on site encourages the use of non-car modes of transport.

"The proposed units [residential], would comply with Nationally Described Space Standards and the plans submitted with this letter confirm the same.

"All new units would have a minimum internal floor to ceiling height of 2.3 metres.

"The current MA proposals involve no loss of the ground floor commercial frontage and a viable and substantial retail trading floor would be retained at ground floor level.

"This would respect the special character of the centre of Nantwich with regard to its mercantile history and would not impact on the established historic street pattern.

13 apartments are proposed for the first floor, with site access coming from the rear of the building (CEC Planning).

"The current proposals would therefore retain the vitality of the town centre and its viability would not be harmed.

"Furthermore, the proposal for 20 additional apartments in the heart of the town centre would help to feed high street demand and thus the proposals would overall contribute positively to the character of the Conservation Area."

The last date for submitting comments on the application is Wednesday 16 July, with a target decision date of Thursday 31 July.

READ MORE: Cheshire East claims cost-cutting plans being scuppered by central government's indecision.

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