Inverness city centre site of Chest Heart and Stroke Café to be turned into flat after Highland Council approves plan

A FORMER coffee shop and office in the heart of Inverness is set for a new life as a flat after plans for the change of use were approved.

Applicant William Stewart's plan to convert the Chest, Heart and Stroke Café site at 5 Mealmarket Close was approved by Highland Council planners under delegated powers.

The proposals will see the site turned into a two-bedroom flat, split over three floors.

The ground floor would feature a living room/kitchen with accessible bathroom/toilet, with the upper two floors both featuring a bedroom with their own en suite shower and toilet.

There were no objections to the proposals from the public or statutory bodies.

Granting permission, council planners said: "It is considered the proposal is a significant improvement to the existing shop frontage/fascia with the upper floors enhanced with effective use of appropriate design and materials.

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"The proposal will not have a detrimental impact on the character and amenity of the Riverside Conservation Area. It is considered that the proposal accords with the principles and policies contained within the development plan and is acceptable in terms of all other applicable material considerations."

They added: "In this case, it is considered that the location of the site, along with the mass, scale, design and use of traditional materials is an improvement on the existing unacceptable UPVC windows. As such the proposal does preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area."

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