A 'redundant' shop next to a supermarket in Failsworth is being transformed into a large cafe with two separate flats and a roof terrace.

An application was submitted in July last year to extend the vacant ground floor shop on Oldham Road in Failsworth, next to the Morrisons Daily store, with a new shop front, rendering and cladding.

The premises used to be a kitchen design shop but has stood vacant for some time, with a new cafe Bonnies Brunch carrying out construction work for the past eight months.

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The cafe owners have also proposed redesigning the existing first-floor flat into a one-bed apartment for two people and creating a new two-bed flat on the second floor for up to three people.

Drawings by Martin Spencer Architecture show the first-floor flat will have a large bedroom, a study, store room, dining room, living room, kitchen and bathroom.

The second flat follows a similar design but has a second bedroom where the study room sits on the floor below.

The Oldham Times: Footage posted to Bonnies Brunch social media shows the building needed to be made structurally soundFootage posted to Bonnies Brunch social media shows the building needed to be made structurally sound (Image: @Bonnies_Brunch)

Meanwhile, the internal floor space of the shop will extend from 71 square metres to 89.

Both flats will have access to their own outdoor "amenity space" on the second floor as well as stairs to the back of the building, behind the shop.

Bosses at the cafe and sandwich shop have been documenting the building work and their progress on social media, writing: "Just over eight months of hard work, lots of sweat and tears.

"Waiting for planning permission but it's all been worth it when you start to see the progress coming together.

"Can't wait to start doing what I love."

When weighing up the plans, a planning officer said the proposed alterations and extension to the retail unit would "restore" the premises back into active use, "thus enhancing the street scene".

While the proposal includes building a second floor, the officer found most of the floor would be contained in the new roof space, meaning the overall height would not be "significantly different", nor stand out among other three-storey properties in the vicinity.

A 1.7m screen is also going to be added to the balcony to minimise any significant overlooking into a neighbouring garden and soundproofing will be added between the flat and shop.

However, the Council officer added the flats would not lead to any significant overbearing, overshadowing or noise impact for neighbours or the occupiers of the flats.

In addition, the officer said the new residential unit would contribute towards increasing housing stock in the local area.

There is no provision for car parking in the plans but the officer said given the sustainable location of the site, with easy access to public transport and the provision of a secure cycle storage facility, occupiers are unlikely to require off-street parking.

Oldham Council approved the plans on February 7 this year.

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