A PLANNING request has been submitted to convert a historic villa into a block of apartments.

On behalf of Stanley Constructions Services, MSA Architects has submitted an application to convert and extend Rockland House into ten apartments across four floors.

Built in the late Victorian period, the View Road villa was originally used as a private residence and subsequently converted into a hotel.

The building has also been used as a children's nursery site and offices, with the most recent tenants moving out in April 2023.

Since this time, there has been no further interest from potential businesses, so the planning application has been submitted to create ten apartments that are in keeping with the building's character.

There has been residential homes and apartments built on the wider site over the years.

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A CGI of how the conversion will lookA CGI of how the conversion will look (Image: MSA Architects)
A design and access statement from MSA Architects reads: "This application is on behalf of Stanley Construction Services for the conversion and extension of an existing office to create 10 apartments and associated landscaping works, including the demolition of a single storey extension.

"Throughout the design process, the impact on the setting of the conservation area and long term sustainability of this building has always been a consideration.

"The site includes a number of protected trees, which have been carefully integrated in the proposals.

"The applicant has engaged with the LPA through a pre-app submission to develop an arrangement with the LPA and the comments and considerations are included within this submission.

"We believe that this approach has created a sensitive and thoughtful redevelopment of this Victorian Villa, which maintains the hierarchy of the original villa and keeps the extensions subservient."