Plan to convert Scarborough town centre solicitor’s office into eight residential flats

A former Scarborough solicitor’s office could become residential flats if North Yorkshire Council approves plans.

Eight residential apartments could be created at 50 – 51 Albemarle Crescent near Scarborough’s town centre as part of plans submitted by James Goodall of Dusrolbake Ltd.

The scheme proposes a change of use of the offices to eight flats including a new rear extension to provide stairs and a lift which would mean that “residents never have to climb more than half a flight of stairs to access their apartment”.

Other alterations would include adjusting window positions and adding a render finish that matches that of adjacent properties.

The building was previously used as offices by Wyatt & Co Chartered Accountants and by a law company.

It is located at the southern end of the street close to the Westborough junction and directly opposite the main entrance of the Mecca Bingo.

According to planning documents, a previous application to convert the site to a single commercial holiday let was approved in 2022, but it is understood that this did not go ahead.

The previously approved scheme would have seen the building converted into a 10-bedroom holiday let.

As part of the new plan, each floor level would be divided into two one-bedroom units and the new rear extension would provide a “convenient and generous means of access to each floor”.

However, to “maintain street activity” the original front door at number 50 Albemarle Crescent would serve as the main entrance to the apartment building, with a communal entrance hall leading through to the rear extension.

The council’s housing standards boss said he had “no objections to the proposals on housing grounds”.

Despite the addition of the rear extension, the floor area of the property would increase by just 37 sqm to a total of 436 sqm.

Plans state that this is due to the new thermal improvements such as internal wall linings and the removal of existing rear offshoots.

North Yorkshire Council has not yet set a date for deciding on the application which is currently pending consideration and is open to representations.