42 High Street, Barnstaple

Overview

CLIENT: SPIM
LOCATION: Barnstaple, Devon
CONTRACT VALUE: £214,000
CONTRACT TYPE: Conversion into 2 flats
ARCHITECT: Consult JA Ltd
PROGRAMME DURATION: 4-5 months

Description

The project at 42 High Street, Barnstaple, involved converting a first-floor betting shop into two residential flats: one one-bedroom and one two-bedroom. The goal was to strip out the existing commercial space, implement essential fire stopping measures for safety, and create modern, comfortable living spaces.

One of the main challenges faced was ensuring fire safety between the first-floor flats and the active retail shop below. To meet fire safety regulations, comprehensive fire stopping works were necessary. This included sealing all gaps, upgrading doors, and using fire-resistant materials to ensure that the new flats would be fully protected from potential hazards originating from the ground-floor shop.

Additionally, the layout of the betting shop, which was designed for commercial use, did not naturally lend itself to residential conversion. The design team had to work creatively to optimize the available space, ensuring that both flats felt spacious, functional, and comfortable. The one-bedroom flat was designed with the needs of a single occupant in mind, while the two-bedroom flat was tailored to accommodate small families or roommates.

Maximizing natural light and ensuring proper ventilation were key considerations during the design process. The project also required careful coordination with local authorities to ensure that all necessary permits and approvals were obtained. Given the change of use from a commercial betting shop to residential flats, the team worked closely with Barnstaple’s planning department to ensure full compliance with zoning regulations, building codes, and fire safety standards.

The result was the successful conversion of the first-floor betting shop into two modern, spacious flats, completed on schedule. Both flats met all fire safety requirements, passed inspections, and are now ready for occupancy. These newly created flats provide high-quality living spaces in a desirable part of Barnstaple, catering to the increasing demand for residential properties in the area.