Developers submit plans to convert former Church Street barbers into apartments

A dilapidated property in the heart of Atherstone could be given a new lease of life if council planners approve a dramatic makeover.

Arragon Properties want to transform 6 Church Street into two dwellings with an office at the front of the building. The plans would also see extensions at the rear knocked down and rebuilt. There would be a one-bedroomed flat at the rear while the other apartment, predominantly housed in the original building, would have two bedrooms.

A report sent to North Warwickshire Borough Council to accompany the plans explained that the property had been empty for a number of years and was last used as a barbers, known as The Thatch.

The document outlined the sad state of the Grade II Listed building – part of a terrace off the main street through the centre of Atherstone.

It said: "The present structure was in a poor condition with little maintenance carried out both internally and externally either prior to our purchase or during our ownership. The timber frame element of the structure has moved, but a recent structural report confirms that the building is stable.

"Whilst removing the asbestos roof to the rear two storey 'extension', the structure became unstable with the brickwork falling away. It was decided in the interest of health and safety to take down the building using a machine as it had become too dangerous to take down by hand."

The report explained that it is hoped to reconstruct a two-storey and single-storey extension and refurbish the existing timber-framed structure to form two new dwellings.

A separate report from archaeological experts at the University of Leicester explained that the Church Street terrace dated back to the early to mid 18th Century and lay within the medieval settlement core of Atherstone meaning that it was in an area of historic and archaeological interest.

It will mean that a professional archaeologist will monitor excavation work and significant findings would be recorded.

The university report explained: "Archaeological investigations within Atherstone have demonstrated that significant medieval features can survive in the historic town core, with archaeological deposits associated with the medieval marketplace having been recorded immediately opposite the site.

A trial trench evaluation to the rear of the Angel Ale House, 65m north of the development area in 2017, uncovered evidence of a 13th Century ditch, medieval stonework and post-medieval walls and surfaces.

"The proposed development has the potential to expose archaeological features associated with medieval urban activity, including structural remains, rubbish pits and boundary features."

The planning application will be considered by officers at North Warwickshire Borough Council.