A commercial property in the town centre that once housed a budget retailer is set to be partially transformed into residential units.

The premises at 30 West Street in Horsham previously accommodated Poundland on its ground level, while the upper floors served as storage areas.

The scheme involves converting the first and second floors into eight apartments, leaving the ground floor for commercial purposes.

Six apartments would accommodate two residents each, with the remaining two designed for three occupants.

Council planning officials gave the scheme the green light, even though the district council’s environmental health specialists had expressed reservations about the proposed layout.

They highlighted a bathroom on the second floor positioned directly over a bedroom, labelling this arrangement as incompatible stacking and poor acoustic design.

The specialists further noted that the approved layout was of poor quality and cautioned that inhabitants could experience disturbance if the remaining ground floor space was put to a noisier purpose, such as a fitness studio or drinking establishment.

The Horsham Society raised objections to the application citing insufficient parking provision, describing the existing parking situation locally as already acute and noting the absence of any parking spaces in the submission.

Nevertheless, county council highway experts stated that the location was highly sustainable due to its proximity to the bus station, meaning occupants would not necessarily require private vehicles.

Planning officers endorsed the scheme but specified that prior to construction starting, particulars of an appropriate soundproofing solution must be submitted to guarantee acceptable noise conditions for future residents.

Poundland ceased trading in Horsham at the end of August last year.

The store was among several locations shuttered by the discount chain in Sussex in recent months, including a Worthing outlet last December and a Haywards Heath branch earlier this month.