Hotel on Fishergate Hill could be turned into bedsits

A hotel on the edge of Preston city centre could be turned into ‘garden apartments’ and bedsits.

Plans have been lodged for the conversion of the former Ashwood Hotel, on Fishergate Hill – which include a pledge to restore the appearance of the building so that it is more suited to the conservation area in which it sits.

The proposed redevelopment would see the bedsits created on the upper floors – via two separate houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), of 14 and 12 bedrooms each – with the garden apartments at ground level. The latter would have access to a lawned area at the rear of the property.

Each bedsit would include a sleeping area, workspace and a new ensuite.

Documents submitted to Preston City Council note that previous work on the premises has resulted in inappropriate changes being made to the Fishergate Hill façade in view of the conservation area status – including the installation of UPVC windows. These are to be replaced with timber frames, while any internal changes would be “minimal and sympathetic to the original structure”.

“This will ensure the preservation of the building within its context and historic importance,” the proposal adds.

The building – which is currently listed as being “under offer” for £625,000 on property website Zoopla – was previously four separate dwellings which were joined together and reconfigured in order to form the hotel.

Under the conversion plans, two of the rear dormers and one at the front would be enlarged – and a new one added to the back of the premises.

According to a design statement accompanying the application, the changes will make the “best use of the existing building’s structure”, with the inside of the property “taken back to brick and improved to more energy efficient standards, introducing new finishes to create attractive, market rental units”.

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