Plans have been submitted to convert the upper floors of a prominent Gloucester building into a large house in multiple occupation (HMO).
The building, located at 28 King’s Square, dates back to around 1934 and is recognised for its classical architectural details and distinctive Portland stone façade. Situated at the eastern end of the Oxbode, facing Kings Quarter, it stands as a well-known city landmark.
Current proposals, lodged with Gloucester City Council, seek permission to change the use of the first and second floors above the existing Post Office from office space into a single, 18-bedroom HMO. The development also includes plans to install solar panels on the roof.
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At present, the office space above the Post Office remains vacant. The application confirms that the Post Office will continue to operate across most of the ground floor.
If approved, the first floor would accommodate ten bedrooms, and the second floor eight bedrooms. Both floors would feature communal kitchens and amenity areas, with facilities for clothes drying incorporated within these spaces. Additionally, rooftop external amenity areas accessible from each floor of the HMO are proposed.
Supporting infrastructure for residents includes a bicycle store with 18 cycle parking spaces on the ground floor and bin storage located in the rear yard. The conversion plans indicate that, where feasible, existing internal walls and partitions will be retained to preserve the building’s character.
The installation of solar panels is planned for the roof’s south-west elevation, with no external lighting proposed for either the rear courtyard or the new amenity spaces.
While the surrounding area contains numerous listed buildings and scheduled monuments, this particular site is not itself listed.
The location benefits from proximity to Gloucester’s local transport hub, including the newly constructed NCP car park within The Forum, alongside Gloucester Bus and Train stations - all within convenient walking distance.
The planning application was validated by the council on 4 September and is currently undergoing public consultation. Residents and interested parties have until 2 October to provide comments through the Gloucester City Council planning portal.
Notably, the wider building - including the Post Office - was placed on the market in 2025. Agents Bruton Knowles described it as “a unique opportunity to acquire a landmark building in Gloucester city centre,” with a guide price exceeding £650,000. The vacant upper floors were noted to have been unused for several years and to be in a degree of disrepair.