Application to convert back of Helston M&Co building to flat

A planning application has been submitted to Cornwall Council seeking permission to convert another part of the former M&Co building into residential accommodation.

The full planning application relates to the former M&Co building on Meneage Street and proposes the conversion of the redundant rear section of the ground floor into a single self-contained residential flat, while retaining the commercial use at the front of the building.

The application is supported by a Design, Access and Heritage Impact Statement produced by the Cornwall Planning Group on behalf of the client, Carlton Park Construction.

According to the documents, the proposal aims to “make efficient use of underutilised space within a highly sustainable town centre location.”

No alterations are proposed to the main frontage facing Meneage Street, and the existing shopfront would be retained in its current form.

The statement adds “external works are limited to the rear elevation of the building and would take place only within areas of modern construction.” This means they would not be visible from public viewpoints or harm the character or appearance of the Helston Conservation area.

Internally, the proposal involves removing modern partitions and finishes that are of no historic interest to create a functional residential layout.

The proposed flat would benefit from natural ventilation and daylight, supported where necessary by Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR), according to the application.

The applicant states that the development would have “no adverse impact on neighbouring properties in terms of privacy, amenity or outlook, and that no changes are required to existing access or parking arrangements due to the site’s accessible town centre location.”

This planning application comes amid ongoing changes to the building’s future. The building already had planning permission for residential development on its upper floor.

An initial proposal had sought to convert both the rear ground floor and the first floor into five apartments.

However, these plans were later amended so that the entire ground floor would remain in retail use, with the rear third retained for storage.

Currently, under the now approved revised scheme, only the first floor will be converted, providing three one-bedroom flats and one two-bedroom flat. Amendments to those plans included the addition of raised lantern lights to improve natural light under the existing approved scheme.

The plans for the additional proposed work can be found on Cornwall Council's planning portal, via its website, under reference PA26/00401.