A main road in an Isle of Wight seaside town will get two new flats following a council decision today.

Mr M. Pennells of Pennells Developments Ltd gained prior approval to convert the first and second floors of 17 High Street in Shanklin into two one bedroom residential units with living rooms and en suite bathrooms.

The flats will replace storage space above a now closed British Red Cross charity shop inside the Shanklin Conservation Area.

County Hall had to consider five factors before reaching its decision: transport and highway impacts of the development, the impact and risk of contamination on the site, flood risk, noise from commercial premises and acceptable natural light levels in habitable rooms.

An Officer Written Justification explained the approval: "The development would have no material impact on the highway network or on highway safety and is therefore acceptable.

"The work would not require excavation. Any issues such as internal works asbestos etc, would be dealt with by separate legislative powers.

"The development is not located within an area identified by the Environment Agency as being within any flood zone or at risk of surface water flooding.

"The council’s environmental health officer has advised that noise from the commercial premises to be retained on the ground floor could result in disturbance to residents of the proposed accommodation.

"Details of the sound proofing measures that would be employed have been provided, which are those measures that would be required by building regulations."

The council added that following an assessment of sound proofing measures, there was no environmental health objection.

Given Mr Pennell's proposal does not include external changes to 17 High Street, officers concluded the Conservation Area would not be negatively impacted.

County Hall attached one condition to its approval - that development is carried out in line with information supplied with the proposal's prior approval notice.