Former Sainsbury's store to be demolished to build flats

The proposed change of use from a city centre supermarket to residential would lead to a significant reduction in vehicle movements

A former city centre supermarket is set to be demolished and turned into flats.

Gloucester City Council has granted Clarehouse Developments Ltd permission to redevelop 63-69 Northgate Street, which was once home to a Sainsbury's.

Three apartment blocks, containing 55 flats in total, will be built on the site.

There will also be a 1,302 sq ft (121 sq m) commercial unit at the ground floor of the Northgate Street frontage.

The proposals include three apartment blocks, one of five storeys situated to the rear of Worcester Street properties, a four storey block fronting Northgate Street and a three storey building fronting Hare Lane.

The site will also have a central private landscaped garden and two disabled parking bays.

Officers said the "carless" scheme was, on balance, a good one and recommended approving it subject to conditions.

The new development will "not look similar" to the former supermarket

Will Collins, speaking on behalf of the applicant, spoke to the committee of the changes they made to the plans since the meeting in March when councillors deferred the proposals.

He told them the latest designs would ensure the Hare Lane side of the development would not look similar to the former Sainsbury's.

"An underused premises that does not make a positive contribution to the vitality and viability of the city centre would be removed," Mr Collins said.

"A reduction in overall footprint of the built form on the site.

"The proposal would introduce green landscape, open space in the heart of the city centre and the replacement of an inefficient out of date building with up to date ones which meet modern building regulations."

He also said the development would provide £230,000 for infrastructure and contributions totalling more than £500,000 to education, open spaces and libraries.

The committee voted to approve the scheme by nine votes in favour, one against and one abstention.