AN "unsightly" garage near Hereford city centre is set to be turned into a studio flat as Herefordshire Council has given the project the green light.

Taranjit Kalket wants to turn the workshop building in Eign Street into a one-bed flat, agents RRA Architects told planners.

A design and access statement said the existing site is an unused single storey garage/workshop.

Planners have since given the project the go-ahead, and consultants said there would be "upgraded access" from Friar Street.

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"The existing entrance onto the site is in a poor state and looks unsightly," the statement said.

The layout of the new studio will see an open plan kitchen, dining and living area created at the front, with an entrance door looking onto a private courtyard.

There would also a bedroom and ensuite towards the rear.

The existing workshop brick walls will be kept with a new slate finish roof to match the neighbouring buildings.

The new glazed entrances will have an "industrial aesthetic" to compliment the building's former use as a workshop.

"The new studio has purposely been designed to make the most out of the existing workshop envelope to reduce their visual impact on the neighbouring homes, providing a spacious studio flat," documents said.

"The proposed scheme has been carefully considered to be sit seamlessly within the existing structure.

"The materials, have been designed not to distract from the original workshop building whilst providing a contemporary studio flat, with its own architectural merit to ensure it fits harmoniously within its setting."

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No car parking is planned as the flat will be in a "sustainable location", but there will be space for cycle storage.

Before plans were approved, with conditions, case officer Simon Rowles said some concerns had been raised about standards of daylight and amenity space.

However, as part of the application process, the proposal has been amended to reflect the introduction of flush-fitting roof lights to ensure that the far end of the dwelling, away from the light-well, is better lit by diffuse daylight.

He added that in terms of outdoor space, the existing courtyard, whilst modestly sized, would allow for drying of clothes and for secure storage of waste/recycling bins and cycles.

The lightwell would enable the "enjoyment of sunlight by occupants within a private, enclosed space", he said.

"Regarding air quality and the central location subject to heavy traffic flows, the design of the building does not incorporate windows overlooking the road, thereby reducing the impact of vehicle exhaust emissions on people residing within the building," he added.

"No health concerns therefore arise."