A GRADE II listed building in the heart of Plymouth may be converted from an office block back into up to nine new homes.

Developers have made an application to change the use of 12 The Crescent to nine one and two-bedroomed apartments over its four floors and basement.

The work would see a number of doors and walls removed and replaced to create the new layouts.

Documentation used for the application to Plymouth City Council’s planning department reveal that The Crescent was believed to have been constructed in around 1860 by George Wightwick and given its Grade II listing in 1954.

It was believed to have been converted into offices in the mid 1980s.

Numbers 2 to 12 all have combined listing which includes specific mention of the attached forecourt walls and railings. The heritage statement notes that while the terrace as a whole “presents a very impressive and imposing frontage in the street scene”, the rear of the properties were “all together less inspiring”.

It also notes how number 12 was originally in the middle of the terrace but the six houses to the west were destroyed in the blitz and the site was used for retirement homes.

The statement explains how number 12 had been vacated in December 2012 and despite “considerable active marketing endeavours by a number of local Commercial Agents” no suitable tenants took up the space.

The explanation to turn the building into nine flats was taken as it was “not financially viable, nor perhaps a marketable option, to convert the whole property back to its former glory as a single dwelling”.

Developers, Island Street Limited, based in Salcombe, state they wish to create four one-bedroom, four two-bedroom flats and one one-bedroom studio flat

Parking provision will allow for just four cars.

Comments on the application closed on October 7. No date has been set for consideration of the application.