Three unused office buildings in Baldock could become five homes if a planning application is approved.

Proposals have been submitted to North Herts Council to change the use of several buildings in Coach House Cloisters, off Hitchin Street.

The site includes four buildings, which are all currently designated for use as offices.

If plans are approved, the building closest to the main road would continue to be used as offices, while the other three would become homes.

The front building has already been refurbished, ready for re-rental as four office units.

Each of the other buildings would be turned into homes, laid out over either two or three storeys. They are currently unoccupied.

A total of nine parking spaces would be included for the development, with four designated for office use and one allocated to each flat.

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The buildings are Grade II-listed, and lie within the Baldock Conservation area.

Documents submitted as part of the application argue that the plans would "preserve the significance of the building" and "enhance the appreciation of the building's significance and the conservation area in general".

It adds that permission would "only increase the useful life of the building that would continue to lay redundant if left untended".

"In the current climate, the demand for the level of office space present is unjustifiable".

"Conversion to residential dwelling seems to be the most suitable use for the excess redundant offices, the site being surrounded by flats and dwellinghouses.".

You can view the application in full by visiting North Herts Council's planning portal and searching for 24/00756/FP.