Plans to convert the floor above Foregate Street's former Burger King into three city centre apartments have now been approved.

The Burger King restaurant closed its doors in 2019, with a sign left in the window stating its immediate closure.

The site at 73 Foregate Street, Chester, was identified by Rivergate Architecture Limited, having 'been vacant for some time' and 'having a negative impact on the street scene'.

Works will include converting the existing first floor of the former Burger King, including the construction of a second floor that will be 'set back from the front elevation'.

It does not include any change of use to the ground floor.

The Burger King restaurant closed its doors in 2019, with a sign left in the window stating its immediate closure (Image via: planning application)

Each 'spacious' apartment has been designed as 'independent from the lower floors', with provision for their own access and amenity spaces.

Dwellings have been designed over two floors, 'to ensure outlook to all habitable rooms'.

Outlining the external works, the design and access statement proposed a 'contemporary design' that does not 'compete with the heritage aspects of the adjoining buildings'.

It said: "It is considered that the development can be developed in a sympathetic way to the heritage of the area, providing convenient spacious accommodation throughout."

Originally, the applicant had sought to create four independent apartments, but adjusted plans to create three dwellings: a single one-bedroom and two, two-bedroom apartments.

This followed concerns raised by the Chester Civic Trust, which considered some of the proposed apartments were of an inadequate size.

It said: "The trust supports increased use of space in the city, particularly for residential purposes, not necessarily just for Airbnb.

Dwellings have been designed over two floors, 'to ensure outlook to all habitable rooms' (Image via: planning application)

"Apartment four seems reasonably sized, however, the other three apartments appear quite 'mean'.

"This suggests that they have been proportioned to fit the space without due consideration for human amenity or comfort.

"In this case, that is over development."

The officer report highlighted this point in its approval of the plans.

It said: "Amended plans show all proposed dwellings would comply with nationally described space standards, with apartment two, now a one-bedroom dwelling."

You can access the application here.