Helston accountant plans to change office back to residential use

The owner of Helston's Bumble Bee Accountancy has lodged plans to turn an office back into a house.

Presented by Cornwall Architectural Design on behalf of Mr Thomas, the plans would see a change of use from a ground floor shop into a three-bedroom home. Converting an outhouse at the back into a home office to continue his work.

Number 57 Wendron Street was purchased in 2019 by Mr B. Thomas who lives within the property.

The ground floor is currently used as an office for 'Bumble Bee Accountancy' by the owner, Mr Thomas.

It is proposed to convert the building back to its original residential usage to form a home that Mr Thomas can live in.

At ground level, the front room will form an open-plan lounge and dining room whilst the kitchen will be reconfigured to the rear and will include a breakfast bar. A downstairs toilet will be formed under the

existing stairs. At the first floor level, no alterations will be made to the structure and there will be three good-sized bedrooms and a bathroom. To the rear, it is proposed to renovate the existing outbuildings to form a home office/studio with a shower room. The large shop window, signage, and associated fittings will be removed but the opening for the shop window will be retained. The modern shop window will be re-designed in a traditional style so that the history and development of the property over the years is evident and can be clearly read. A concluding statement in the application reads: "The proposed conversion back from retail back to residential use will have a positive impact on the historic building and the Conservation area. "The proposal to convert the existing ground floor shop back into a single residential dwelling has no harmful impact on the historic building and will provide an essential affordable home for residents. "The restoration and conversion of the building to residential is to be achieved both sympathetically and sustainably with the aim of both enhancing and conserving the historic building within its sensitive location. "We, therefore, hope that this scheme for the conversion back into residential usage has the support of the planning department as well as the local community." The current status of the application is "awaiting decision". It was previously reported that Mr Thomas was looking to retire, he told Nub News: "Though I would love to retire at the age of 50, unfortunately, I have a few more years of work, before I can put my feet up." See the full plans for yourself here.

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