Plans to return 84 Whiting Street, Bury St Edmunds, to its former use

A set of Bury St Edmunds offices most recently home to an accountancy firm could return to their former use.

Plans have been lodged with West Suffolk Council, seeking to convert the grade II-listed 84 Whiting Street, which formerly housed David Roberton & Co, into a family home.

The building, parts of which date back to the 16th century, has lain vacant since December 2023, when the accountancy firm was bought out by Knights Lowe.

If approved, the building would contain five bedrooms, with the applicant hoping to ‘uncover’ some of its original features.

The applicant said the plans were lodged due to there being ‘no appetite’ for its use commercially, with its listing having previously ‘clearly indicated the building was a house’.

In addition, the building could see two extensions at the back of the building, one two storey and another one storey, which would house a bedroom, a bathroom, a sitting area, a kitchen and a study.

The building would also contain an entrance hall, cycle storage and at least four solar panels.

The applicant said: “Proposals seek to respect the original building and its history, while creating a dwelling, which it historically was previously, to relate to modern family aspirations and layout.”