Clare and Dominik Nowak have found an exciting development opportunity in a retail unit with a flat above. Mike Dade assesses the likelihood of them being able to convert the whole property to residential use, and extend it

Mike Dade

PLOT WATCH: Mike Dade investigates

WHO Clare and Dominik Nowak

WHAT A retail unit with a flat above, which looks like it has the potential to be converted into an allresidential development. What could they do to maximise value, both with and without planning permission?

WHERE East Sussex

Clare and Dominik Nowak have been looking for a building project for the last year. Their ideal property would enable them to live on site, while developing one or more houses, with a view to selling on once completed. With limited funds, suitable opportunities are few and far between. They’ve spotted a large shop unit with a flat over it, on the market in a mainly residential area outside a town centre. It seems to fit the bill – so, what is the potential of a site like this?

The property

The building is situated on the end of a terrace of period houses. It’s opposite a small parade of shops, but is otherwise in a residential area, about half a mile from the town centre. Of the five units opposite, three are empty, suggesting that this is by no means a prime retail location.