PLANS to convert part of a Dudley shopping centre into apartments have been given the go-ahead.

The proposal from LCP Estates to convert an empty part of the Churchill shopping centre on the junction of King Street and Flood Street, into eight flats has been given the thumbs up.

A report by planners states: "The application site comprises part of the Churchill Shopping Centre complex which is a 1960s shopping precinct which was roofed over in the 1990s.

"The application site comprises a three-storey building on the south western edge of the shopping centre.

"The site is currently vacant, having most recently been in office use."

Dudley News:

The site (above). Pic: Pegasus Group for LCP Estates

The flats will be on the lower basement, ground, and first floor of the building.

The entrance into flats 1-7 will be at ground floor level, with the entrance to flat 8 at upper basement level.

The flats range from one-bed studio flats to two-bedroom three person flats.

The planning application states that new grey aluminium entrance doors will be installed and there will be parking for cycles.

A report by planners states: "The principle of residential use of this site is considered to be acceptable as the proposal represents the re-use for housing, at an appropriate density, of land within an urban area.

"The development would make a positive contribution to the character of the conservation area and would not have any detrimental impact on residential amenity or highway safety."