New plans unveiled to convert listed former Wakefield city centre Peter Jones building into HMO
A planning application has been submitted to convert the upper floors of a listed building in Wakefield city centre into two HMOs.
The plans are for the former Peter Jones shop on Westgate, which closed at Christmas in 2024.
The proposals refer to the first and second floors of the building with the ground floor maintained for commerical use.
It would mean a five-bed HMO created on the first floor with a shared kitchen-diner and separate communal lounge area, and a similar four-bed HMO created on the second floor.
All but two bedspaces would include an en-suite, which share communal shower and toilet facilities.
A design and access statement provided on behalf of the applicant said: “The proposed conversion aims to deliver high- quality shared residential accommodation.
"The proposal seeks to ensure a more effective and efficient use of the upper floors of the building whilst ensuring the retention of the ground floor for high-street commercial use.
"The upper floors of the building will be subject of a high-quality refurbishment including furnishings and decoration, which has been carefully curated by a specialist interior designer.
"The proposals will, therefore, revitalise and secure a positive use of the upper floors, as well as improve the vitality of the existing ground floor retail space.”
A previous application to convert part of the building into residential property was refused in the summer as planning officers described the plans as “poor quality”.
A report said the development would also have “inadequate levels of natural light” for future residents.
In the most recent application, a planning statement provided on behalf of the applicant said: “The revised scheme presented by the current planning and listed building consent applications has been prepared having regard to the concerns expressed by officers and the above reasons for refusal.”
Peter Jones had traded in Wakefield city centre for 60 years.
Confirming the closure last year director Nicola Cousins, daughter of Peter Jones, said: “Our shop property has finally sold and so, after over 60 years in Wakefield and 39 years in Little Westgate, our era comes to an end.
"It’s a sad day for us but independent retail is extremely challenging and it was the right time for us to ‘call it a day’."