A CHARMING Victorian building has seen plans to convert it to apartments rejected.

Plans were submitted to Warrington Borough Council’s planning department seeking prior approval for a change of use of Maple House.

The structure is located at Padgate Business Centre on Green Lane, and it has been vacant since January 2023.

Applicant Osborne and Co Warrington proposed a change of use from commercial, business and service to residential, with the creation of six apartments.

This would have been on both floors of the building, with four apartments being one-bed and two being two-bed.

However, council planners determined that prior approval was required for the scheme and refused to give it.

Padgate Business Park comprises three Victorian buildings that were originally part of Padgate Industrial School, constructed in 1880.

Maple House, a two-storey building, maintains many of its Victorian features, plans say.

Two of the buildings, Maple House and Rowan House, were originally the accommodation blocks for the children who resided at the school, with the former schoolhouse, Beech House, also remaining.

Rowan House previously received prior approval for change of use from offices to six residential apartments.

External alterations to enhance the residential conversion of Maple House were to be considered via a separate full planning application.

In refusing permission, the council said: “The proposed dwellings would fall short of the minimum internal space standards set out in the nationally described space standard.

“The proposal fails to demonstrate the location of dedicated cycle storage, dedicated bin storage and dedicated parking spaces, and how the parking would affect parking available for the wider site, including commercial.

“Furthermore, it has not been demonstrated that there would not be a pedestrian-vehicle conflict in the site.

“Therefore, it is not demonstrated that adequate and safe vehicle parking, pedestrian access and cycle and refuse provision could be provided for this proposed residential use.

“As such, the proposal is considered to result in unacceptable transport impacts and prior approval is therefore required and refused.”