Planning approval for apartments at vacant retail units on Larne Main Street
Planning permission has been approved by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for change of use and alterations of ground floor shops to apartments at 125, 129 and 131 Main Street in Larne.
A development management officer’s report said the premises are two- storey buildings on the site with vacant retail units on the ground floor and living accommodation on the first floor of the properties. The applicants are Robert and Graeme Leitch.
The report notes that although the properties are within Larne town centre, they are “outside of the main retail area”.
“The ground floor retail units are vacant and at this location on the edge of the town centre the prominent use of buildings is residential,” it said.
The report explained the three proposed apartments will consist of a one-bedroom apartment and two two-bedroom dwellings “reflecting the character and density of the immediate area”.
“The proposal requires the removal of shop fronts and replacement with new doors and windows. The finishes proposed are in keeping with the surrounding area and are acceptable within this locality,” it said.
The report added the proposal will “bring the ground floor of the buildings into use”.
“The application proposes change of use of the ground retail floor of three separate buildings. Each apartment is self contained and each apartment accesses onto the Main Street.”
The report noted: “There is an adequate communal area of open space provided to the rear of 131 Main Street.”
It was also stated that Department for Infrastructure Roads was consulted and it has no objections to the proposal.
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter