The replacement of office space with homes in Aylesbury should be welcomed, a town centre chief has said.
Aylesbury Town Centre Manager Diana Fawcett said having a balance of living and working spaces would help the town.
A planning application has been submitted to convert the upper three floors of a Cambridge Street building from offices into 12 flats. Two of the floors have been vacant for years and there is little demand for town centre offices.
Aylesbury estate agent Christopher Pallet said: “There has been a reduction in demand for town centre offices for the last 10 or 20 years.”
The Cambridge Street plan is just one of many that could see more homes in the town centre. Approval has already been given to convert retail space above Blacks in Market Square and the building of 50 new apartments above the Friars Square shopping centre has been given the green light.
Ms Fawcett said: “I look forward to having more people residing in the town centre.
“It doesn’t limit the amount of office space because there’s an abundance of that.”
She also dismissed fears that more town homes could increase the potential for conflict with nightlife venues.
Ms Fawcett said: “It’s about getting the balance right. Residential buildings need to be in appropriate areas and people need to understand they’re living in a town and what comes with that.”