Plans to convert the upper floors of a Grade II listed building on St Werburgh Street into residential apartments have been approved.

The development will see the first and second floors of 6–12 St Werburgh Street turned into into five one-bedroom flats.

Submitted by St Werburgh Properties Partnership LLP to Cheshire West and Chester Council, the scheme will retain ground floor retail use, while the upper levels - previously used for storage and staff areas - will be brought back into residential use.

Designed in the late 19th century by Sir John Douglas, the listed building forms part of a terrace recognised for its ornate Victorian architecture.

The design and access statement said the scheme would make better use of underutilised space within the listed building and help secure its long-term future.

It said: "The proposed works will improve the state of repair of the upper floors which are currently in need of investment and secure the preservation of the heritage asset."

The planning officer report noted that the building's most significant features include its mullioned and leaded front windows, alongside its historic staircases to the rear.

While the windows are of high significance, the staircases were described as moderately significant but altered over time.

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The approved scheme includes the replacement of the existing staircases, which was assessed as causing "less than substantial harm" to the heritage asset. However, officers concluded this would be offset by wider benefits, including the reinstatement of internal layouts and traditional detailing lost through previous storage use and alteration.

The report also noted that the upper floors have been underused for many years, contributing to limited maintenance and incremental deterioration of historic fabric.

It concluded that, on balance, the proposals would not result in material harm to the significance of the listed building and would preserve the character of the wider conservation area.

Historic England raised minor concerns on heritage grounds, particularly regarding internal alterations, but advised that further detail could be agreed through conditions with the local conservation team.

No on-site parking is included in the scheme, which the applicant said reflects the city centre location and access to sustainable transport links, including nearby bus and rail services.

You can find the full application here.