Derry City and Strabane District Council has received plans for four new apartments at a former accountants’ office in Derry City Centre.

Council’s planning portal department recently received a Listed Building Consent application for the change of use of offices at 57 Clarendon Street to four one-bedroom apartments.

In an accompanying Design and Access Statement agent KJS Architects said the applicant, ASM Chartered Accountants, currently use the site as an office building but it is no longer needed due to reduced staff requirements.

“All proposed changes except a rear dormer are internal [and] we have been very careful in our layout design to keep internal changes to a minimum.” The Statement added.

The former accountants building at Clarendon Street.

placeholder image — The former accountants building at Clarendon Street.

“Therefore, the proposal will have no significant adverse impact on amenity as a result of light, noise, vibration, air pollution, dust and odours.

“Furthermore the proposal is to reduce the overall occupancy of the building from maximum 25 persons total to four (i.e. four one-bed apartments) so any likely impact on the amenity will be reduced. Apartments can be view as an addition to the city’s accommodation need.

“The health and well-being of the residents that use the building will be increased from the cultural experience they receive or gain from their living day to day in Derry’s Historic City and the surrounding areas.

“Externally the building is in a fairly good state of repair, most of the historic features have been retained over the years, minimal external changes are proposed, [and] all external historic features will be retained in this application.”

Andrew Balfour, Local Democracy Reporter.