Plans for new flats in Motherwell town centre have been given the go ahead by North Lanarkshire Council planners.
The site comprises most of the former YMCA building, which is a B-listed building, and adjacent vacant land formerly occupied by a school which was latterly used as council offices and was demolished about 10 years ago.
The former YMCA has a two and 3/4 storey red sandstone frontage, and includes a small shop unit occupied by a personal fitness trainer which does not form part of the application site.
The proposal involves demolition of the various extensions at the rear of the YMCA and the conversion of the original building on the Brandon Street frontage into six flats plus the shop unit which is unchanged.
The former school site would comprise two new L-shaped blocks of four storeys (dropping to three storeys next to the YMCA) containing 42 flats.
These would be of traditional tenement proportions, and would each have two closes with doors on both the front and rear elevations.
In his report, posted on the council website, case officer Keith Bathgate noted the reasons for allowing the plans to go ahead and letters of objection that were submitted.
Mr Bathgate said: “One representation is from a neighbouring business which occupies that part of the YMCA building which is not part of the application.
"They are concerned about lack of communication about the applicant’s intentions.
“This is not a planning matter but has been drawn to the applicant department’s attention.
“The other representation is from a nearby resident raised various matters, none of which are considered to be grounds for refusing the proposal.
“The fact that town centre streets are already busy with traffic is not grounds for preventing the redevelopment of a gap site within the town centre, especially as the traffic it would give rise to is likely less than was the case when the site was in use as a school or office.
“The proposed conversion and new-build residential development are considered to be an appropriate use for this town centre location and can be accommodated without detriment to the character and amenity of the immediate neighbouring properties, listed building or the wider town centre.”
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