PLANS to turn former offices on the outskirts of Barnsley town centre into studio apartments for promising young footballers have been turned down by council officials.
An application for Compass House, a former office building on the corner of George Street and Castlereagh Street, was submitted by Lee Jones, of Mapplewell, to convert and extend the building to create 19 studio apartments.
A planning statement was submitted by agent Philip Fletcher, on behalf of Mr Jones, who he describes as owning a prominent local investment company with similar developments in progress throughout the country.
Mr Fletcher said as a Barnsley company, it also sponsors the football club, specifically the academy, and the accomodation would be for young football recruits.
“The academy currently houses several players within the applicant’s properties and have requested that it would be beneficial to house the young recruits in one central location,” the statement said.
“The recruits would occupy up to 14 of the units, allowing the recruits to walk to training and generally allow their off-field social skills to develop alongside colleagues.”
Alongside the conversion proposal was a submission to create a two storey extension to create six individual studio apartments.
The planning statement acknowledged that local councillors had raised concerns relating to HMO operators in the area and illegal flats, or illegal activities within flats in the area.
“We wish to assure members that our properties are rigorously managed to ensure that owners and occupiers complement or indeed benefit the local community.
“The applicant operates his own lettings company with local offices and rigorous controls and ongoing inspection regimes.
“Similarly the football club operates strict rules for their players to respect the property.”
Tarmacadam would have been removed and landscaped, and the existing security fence replaced with a domestic style one.
A previous submission was made to convert the building to residential use but this was refused by the council. Despite this decision, the applicant feels the building has greater potential for residential conversion than vacant office space, or alternative social care.
“Unfortunately the demand for offices within town centres is in a total decline, not just within Barnsley,” said the planning statement.
“Office space is now prevalent in out of town locations where staff can enjoy free parking and often easier commutes.
“The agents for the site will verify that there is a surplus of vacant office space within the town centre.”
Despite making a passionate case, the proposal was refused by planners on the grounds it would provide ‘substandard levels of amenity for occupants’, provide an insufficient mix of unit types and failed to include affordable housing.
A decision notice published on the council website also said it was opinion of the planning authority that it would result in several protected trees being removed.
