A four to 10-storey redevelopment of Romerils has been approved by the Planning Committee.

The idea is to build 53 new flats on top of a new shop space in the town centre, slimmed down from the original 94 apartment plan in 2022.

The new plans for the building involve taking away the car park, building 53 one to three-bedroom flats on top of the shop and earmarking eight apartments for affordable housing.

The existing, curved Romerils shop wall and the original department store will be retained.

Initially, the retailers and builders merchants wanted to regenerate this part of town by demolishing nine existing buildings at the rear to make way for an extension, three other shops and nearly 100 flats.

Old plans for the Romerils development.

The 10-storey aspect of the building will face the Hue Street block of flats, with the shorter side of the development closer to town.

The committee has acknowledged that the height of the building is ambitious and concerns were raised by the government's advisor on heritage matters.

However, the panel of politicians decided it was justified and fine, due to where the building will be, welcoming the regeneration of this part of town.