Planning approval for ten new flats in Luton's The Mall above McDonald's and a church

Applicant Pragma Homes Limited successfully resubmitted its scheme to convert the second floor of 46 George Street. It will be transformed with two one-bedroom, six two-bedroom and two three bedroom apartments.

The four-storey building houses McDonald's restaurant on the ground floor, Upperview Ministries Church on the first floor and also includes a basement, according to a report to the council’s development control committee.

The report stated: “It is located within a mixed use area of the town centre with a variety of commercial, leisure and residential uses.

“It has commercial premises on the ground floor, including a McDonald’s restaurant which occupies a large part of the first floor as well.

“A pedestrian link to the Mall is at ground floor level,” said the report.

“Part of the first floor and the second floor is used as a church, while the third floor is in office use.

“The proposals include the conversion of an area of former non-residential space and plant room on the second floor to flats.

“Improvements are to be made to the place of worship, with new space created at second and third floor level, with bicycle storage in the basement and new lifts.”

The flats would be reached via new stairs at the entrance to George Street, from the ground floor to the first floor, and restricted to residents only.

Visitors to the church could use the stairs to travel to the first floor, while residents can go to the second and third floors.

Plans to convert the second floor into 14 flats had been refused last December, according to the report.

“Officers consider the current project overcomes the three reasons for refusal,” it said.

“The large majority of the D1 floor space is now retained, and the small area that is lost is compensated for by a mixture of new D1 floor space and improvements to those facilities.

“The housing mix is more compliant, with nine out ten of the flats having two or three bedrooms.

“And the applicant agrees to the planning obligations required by planning policy.”

The main residential areas are in extensions at the back of the second and third floors in redundant former plant rooms, added the report.

These extensions will be partly rebuilt with a roof providing sufficient space to accommodate the size of flats proposed.