Bid to turn city centre office into home

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Tuesday, 21 December 2021 16:20

By Gavin McEwan - Local Democracy Reporter

A historic building in the heart of Hereford could become a home again if a planning bid goes through.

The grade II-listed 15 King Street sits at the junction with St Nicholas Street and Bridge Street, within sight of the cathedral.

It has been used in recent times as a gentleman’s outfitters and as a solicitors’ office, but appears to have lain vacant since at least May 2017 – “it not having been possible to find commercial tenants”, the planning application for change of use said.

The listing entry describes it as having an 18th century front and 17th century core, with an 18th century “winder” staircase.

Many of its neighbours within the city’s Central Conservation Area, including its immediate neighbours Berrington House, which houses a firm of surveyors, and the Orange Tree pub, are also listed.

A rear yard provides “limited” external storage and a seating area, the application says.

The building “is sustainably located in terms of accessibility to services and facilities, with shops, employment opportunities, sustainable transport nodes and health care facilities all accessible on foot”, it says, adding that for this reason, “car parking is not considered a necessity”.

It proposes some changes to the interior including a new first-floor kitchen, but not to the exterior.

The application, numbered 214447, can be commented on until 16 January, with a decision due at the end of the same month.

Recent government policy encourages the conversion of unneeded commercial properties to homes, in order to keep town centres thriving.