'˜Crammed'flats proposed for former Cooplands bakery site

A former Doncaster bakery could be turned into five flats '“ but council planning officers say the accommodation could be '˜crammed'.
Cooplands, Silver Street. Picture: Andrew RoeCooplands, Silver Street. Picture: Andrew Roe
Cooplands, Silver Street. Picture: Andrew Roe

A planning application to convert Cooplands Bakery on Silver Street into five ‘bedsits’ has been submitted to Doncaster Council for consideration.

The application says the flats would be ‘ideal for students and young single persons.’

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It is proposed the first and second floors of the building be transformed into single person bedsits, with three flats on the first floor and two on the second.

The planning application acknowledges the flats would be small but insists they would be an affordable option.

It said: “While the bedsits are not in themselves very large they do serve to provide accommodation at a reasonable price for those on limited means, with individual sanitary provisions for independent use and privacy.”

In a consultation document, council planning officers said the accommodation looks ‘crammed’.

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Officers have also suggested the design of windows and doors for the property should be changed so they are in-keeping with those on the surrounding street.

Readers of The Star expressed fears that residents would suffer from noise.

On Facebook, Anne Gillvray said: “Unless the shop is actually a Tardis in disguise, I would say that this shop is far too small to turn into five flats.

“And Silver Street is a dreadful place for flats to be built on.”

Kathleen Borthwick called the proposals a ‘ridiculous idea’ and said the road is ‘not a very practical place for flats for people to live in when it’s Doncaster’s main street for night life.’