Plans to turn an empty building at a Warwick park into an office for the Mirrors Programme have been given the green light.

The Development Applications Board approved an application for a change of use for Quarry Cottage, a dilapidated residence in Southlands, along with internal works and an extension to the building.

The proposal had been recommended for approval, with the Department of Planning noting that the Mirrors Programme was already operating in the park and involved in clean-up operations.

According to the minutes of the DAB’s meeting on September 17, there was a discussion about the cumulative impact of a “series of proposals” for the park and if considering them on an individual basis might provide “enhanced leverage” for future proposals or set a precedent for future commercial use.

“The technical officer confirmed that each application is assessed on its own merits and gave a brief synopsis of the status of the current applications for the entire park,” the minutes said.

“The larger applications for the site will be considered together at a future board meeting.

“This application will have minimal impacts since the occupier of the office already has a presence on site and therefore raises no cumulative concerns.”

The minutes added that one board member had raised concerns about parking at the site and was informed that parking for two staff members was provided.

However, the DAB shut down plans to convert another derelict building from a storage area and garage into a residential apartment.

The proposal had been recommended for refusal on the basis that it was incompatible with the property’s status as a national park and that allowing residential projects would “fundamentally alter” the purpose of the site.

The DAB meeting minutes said: “A board member expressed comprehensive agreement with the department’s assessment and recommendation.

“No additional questions or comments were posed by the board.”

The application was subsequently refused on several grounds including that it was “fundamentally incompatible” with the park zoning and would create an “unacceptable conflict” between private occupancy and public access.

The Government acquired Southlands in 2012 through a land-swap deal involving Morgan’s Point, and the property was officially designated a national park in 2017.

Several proposals have been put forward for the park in recent years, including planning applications for a zip line attraction and a café, but they have been met with calls to preserve the site.

Last month, the Government closed online consultation on a draft management plan for the 37-acre property, but stated that the management plan was “separate and unrelated” to proposals for commercial development at Southlands.