meeting a residential need - Public forum - Planning Advisory Service (PAS)

we have a derelict building which is in a run down area of a town but it is also a conservation area we wanted to seek permission for change of use to residential against an urgent need for affordable accommodation in pre app discussion it was identified that extension of the roof and rear in part was needed to provide accommodation with regard to space guidelines in this pre app process it was suggested that an application be made as a commercial building for extensions and that a s.106 agreement and payment would be avoided- it was then suggested that a subsequent application for change of use to residential [to "approved" enlarged building] and that s.106 would not apply. based on this advice an application was made for the commercial building [for which there is virtually no prospect of beneficial use] with extensions - this has effectively, now, been quashed as no extension is acceptable. we have a dilemma - do we withdraw the application completely [and possible leave the building to rot] can we apply for the originally intended change of use application and meet any s.106 agreement requirements and get a FREE GO [it is within one year] on fee paid OR do we seek to amend the application currently in to be a change of use with details of the proposed works to the building to form residential accommodation we are happy to reasonably comply with conservation officer requirements and have in fact obtained change of use and approval for the adjacent building with conservation requirements and change of use to residential also what PD rights [accommodation over shop] do we have in a conservation area- one flat or 2 with new suggestions from Government any advice much appreciated as we want to invest and improve the built environment but it must be a beneficial use that is financially viable- so some compromise needed to help the country Ken McArdle