A change of use application for the former taxi garage at 39 High Street has been submitted by the owners Britanic Industries Ltd.
The application follows pre-application advice sought by the company in 2023 and seeks to turn the former office building to form one residential unit, shop and car parking including demolition and replacement of rear section of building.
It says the scheme is the only way the Art Deco front of the building can be saved.
“The scheme is driven by the need for the main habitable rooms in each property to have views over the existing swimming pool building directly in front and harness the unique view of the harbour,” says the design and access statement.
“Failure to harness the views will result in low resale prices and make scheme financially unviable and the retention of the existing building impossible.”
The building was built in 1908 as a taxi garage for the King’s hotel in Market Strand. It has also been owned by Falmouth Boat Co, or Falmouth Chandlers and was last used to house an interior design business.
Known for its Art Deco street frontage the building has been empty and unmaintained for more than ten years.
The building comprises two distinct sections, at the front the original masonry building dating back to the 1908, with its Art Deco street frontage remains structurally sound and is to be retained.
At the rear is a timber framed structure clad with sheets of corrugated steel. The application says unmaintained the structure is open to the elements and as a result the intermediate floors within have collapsed.
“Planning approval is sort for the removal of this rear section and its replacement on the exact same footprint for a structure that will generate one residential units over two floors, together with ancillary accommodation in a basement.
“The existing ground floor commercial space will be replaced by car parking for vehicles, which will enter and leave the site in forward gear.
“A comparable retail space will be generated off the existing Public Right of Way to the side of the site. Windows and louvered vents will be generated through the re-opening of existing openings.”
It says the rear extension will be finished at the lower level in painted render to match the existing and the upper levels will be clad in a horizontal timber board.
The roof of the existing structure which is single corrugated steel sheets will be replaced with a like for like.
The roof over the living accommodation will also be natural slate to match adjoining buildings. Three Clear Perspex panels will be added into the east elevation to add natural light into the car park and reduce the necessity to artificially light the space.
Other Articles
Turning your creative passion into a career
No Comment! Be the first one.