Plans to convert Bishop’s Stortford Chiropractic Clinic into town centre flats

Plans to convert a grade II listed building in Bishop’s Stortford’s conservation area into flats have been submitted to East Herts Council (EHC).

The ground and first floors of the premises – part of Hockerill House in Hockerill Street – would become three one-bed apartments.

They are currently occupied by Bishop’s Stortford Chiropractic Clinic. Steen Terp, its director listed at Companies House, is the applicant.

The plans include pointing of the building and chimneys and replacement of external render on what Historic England describes as “a late 18th-century house built with red brick walls and an old red tile mansard roof”.

The Government’s statutory adviser on the historic environment has already told the district council it will not comment on the application.

The conversion will require the safe removal of asbestos from part of the building and creation of a bin store and bike shed for new residents.

Mr Steen’s agent has told EHC: “The flats will be for the rental market, aimed at local key workers, particularly those employed at Stansted Airport.”

Kenyon House, a nearby office building in Hockerill Street, has already been granted permission to become co-living accommodation.

It will provide a home for up to 16 people with 10 en-suite bedrooms and communal facilities including two kitchen diners, two lounges, a cinema room, a post room and two laundry rooms.

Both Bishop’s Stortford Town Council and the civic federation did not object to the conversion and welcomed more affordable housing for the town.

To see planning applications and other public notices for your area, visit publicnoticeportal.uk.