HOUSES and office space are set to be built on the former site of the Stratford Herald newspaper in Rother Street and the rear of Greenhill Street.
The Stratford Observer’s rival newspaper occupied York House, a Grade II-listed building for more than 50 years until it vacated the premises in 2020, leaving it empty. And the plans, submitted to Stratford District Council, will see the “blighted” and “ugly” building brought back into use.
The proposal would see the building rejuvenated into what has been described as “high quality commercial accommodation”, while the printworks at the rear of the building – dating back to the mid-20th Century, will be demolished.
Into this space will be built ten, two and three-bedroom houses.
The homes will not have private gardens due to the limitations of the site but will instead have roof top spaces and a communal garden. There will also be no car parking spaces available to the new homes.
The original plan, put forward by Developers York House (Stratford) Ltd, was for 15 houses and six apartments on the site but the number has been reduced, alongside the height of the homes from four-storeys to just three.
The planning documents explain: “The site which is currently blighted by an ugly and incongruous vacant building will be transformed to create an exemplar for urban living within a town centre setting”.
The Stratford Herald’s new offices are on Guild Street.
