PLANS to convert a former Chester city centre hostel into apartments have been lodged.

The four-storey Georgian townhouse on Lower Watergate Street, a Grade II-listed building, went up for auction last October, described as a 'doer-upper' with 21 rooms.

It is now planned to convert the building, which formerly had office space on the ground floor and halfway house accommodation on the upper floors, into eight apartments.

Planning consultants Design and Planning Associates Limited, in a design and access statement, said: "While the building is in generally good condition some remedial works will inevitably be required, while other changes may be necessary in compliance with building regulations.

"The proposals seek to maintain the overall external appearance and retain as much of the original fabric as possible, including original windows (where building control allows) and rainwater goods."

A heritage impact assessment said building works would be largely internal, and the interior of the house had already been significantly altered from its original condition.

Six of the apartments would have one bedroom, while the other two would have two bedrooms. All the apartments would have their own en-suite facilities and kitchen/living room spaces.

The application concludes: "The layout of the proposals won’t change the basic overall plan of the area but will offer a well-integrated development of dwellings which will provide a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the surrounding area."