There are plans to create flats at Margate’s former Primark building

A planning application has been approved for the Primark site

The company which owns the Primark building in Margate has submitted an application to develop it into a mix of retail and apartments.

SIR Investments Ltd, which bought the property in 2015 for £600,000 plus £120,000 VAT, is proposing a two-storey roof extension, internal alterations including new stair wells at upper ground floor and first floor level, change of use of existing first floor and use of new second and third floors as residential, comprising 11 duplexes and apartments.

Former SIR Investment directors Paul Eley and Alexander Andreev were also involved with the company Stour Side Investments which bought the Cliftonville Lido. The pair also headed up the buy out of land at All Saints Industrial Estate, land at Eaton Place and the King’s Theatre in Ramsgate, which has since been sold on.

In 2016 the pair claimed to have received interest from a national restaurant chain and ice cream parlour for the former Primark site.

Both resigned their roles from SIR in April and from Stour Side earlier this year.

Stour Side Investments went into administration in July, appointing Dreamland administrators Duff & Phelps to oversee the process.

SIR Investments, whose directors are now listed as Evgueni Dogot – also a director of Stour Side – and Boo Khoo, is asking Thanet council for permission to create the 11 flats and maisonettes at the site, retaining the ground floor for commercial, and possibly restaurant, use. The canopy on the upper ground floor will be removed.

A design statement by GPM2 Design on the company’s behalf says: “The proposed design will enhance the art deco character of the building, making it an attractive focal point within the conservation area.

“The development proposes a mix of units comprising 6×3 bed units and 5×2 bed units, contributing a good mix of sizes.”

The application was validated last week. A decision is yet to be made.