Plans to convert former Chester city centre offices into seven apartments have been revealed.

The proposals submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council seek to transform the listed building into seven one-bedroom apartments. 

Located on the corner of White Friars and Bridge Street in the city centre of Chester, the site forms a corner plot as part of a terrace of buildings. Its ground floor retail unit is occupied by Café Nero and the rest of the building consists of unused office space. 

Seeking to "bring the building into full positive use", planners have described the building as an "important asset to the character of the area". 

The proposed development seeks to provide high quality units that "embrace the assets' original fabric", ultimately securing its long-term viable use.

Three apartments have been proposed on the ground floor, with the second unit split across the ground and lower ground. 

The site forms a corner plot as part of a terrace of buildings (Nub News)

Proposals do not include vehicle provision, given the building's lack of dedicated car parking space. 

Pointing to the city's strong choice of public transport options, the design and access statement reads: "Due to the existing building having no dedicated car parking, the proposal does not include such.

"This is considered acceptable in line with the Council's own parking standards that identify city centre development and apartments to typically involve lower car ownership."

Limited external alterations to the building are proposed. The main entrance will have intercom fitted and "modest signage", both described as "materiality sensitive to the existing building".

The building's long-term inactivity as offices was also raised in the application, stating parts of the site have been subject to marketing "for a significant period of time", with no formal interest for office use by prospective occupiers. 

The application continued: "There is sufficient supply of employment land within the city centre of Chester which determines the use of this building redundant as office space. 

"The conversion of the building to residential will secure its future use and mitigate against potential disrepair."

You can find and comment on the application here.