Plans for co-living accommodation above former Poundland store in Bridge Street

Hampton-based firm Progressive Property Assets Limited wants to build an extension above the former discount retailer to be used as 39 en-suite apartments with shared facilities including a lounge, cinema and roof-top terrace with outdoor gym equipment.

The bottom floor would be kept for retail use.

The plans mirror those previously approved for the former Fifth Avenue nightclub in Laxton Square, near the city market, which sees residents pay a single fee which covers all utility costs and cleaning services, as well as rent.

All tenants would have to be either in employment or full-time students, with the developers acknowledging they are targeting the cohort who will attend the new Peterborough university which is due to open next year.

The plans recently submitted on behalf of Progressive by Simon Machen, the council’s former corporate director of growth and regeneration, have already met opposition from nearby music venue The Met Lounge.

A submission to the council states: “We can guarantee that the occupants of the flats may say that when they open the kitchen window then the noise levels coming from the club are intolerable.

“Having owned a club in the city centre previously that had flats approximately 10 metres away from our function room I am well aware of the problems that a tenant can cause a business.

“I’m also aware that the law has changed now and the developer of the ‘new’ property is responsible for ensuring that the existing businesses are not affected - however, it is my thoughts that unless the developer pledges to make good any sound-proofing issues to either our building or increases the level of sound-proofing to his building then the application should be rejected.”

It adds: “If the plans are approved then I would want a proviso put into any sale/rental of a flat that is signed by the tenant that they are aware of the existence of The Met Lounge next door and that any issues that are sound related are to be dealt with and solved by the applicant. No complaint can ever be made or issued towards The Met

Lounge.”

Poundland closed in November 2018 after the discount retailer was served notice by its landlord, with the building currently vacant.

A planning statement submitted as part of the new application adds: “This application will bring it back into active use, including its upper floors, creating new residential accommodation within the city centre as promoted by both national and local plan policy, helping to protect and enhance its vitality and viability.

“As a co-living scheme it will also help to broaden the type and tenure of residential accommodation available within the city, thereby meeting housing need.

“The principle of co-living in the city centre has been previously accepted by the council.”

The scheme, if approved, would see space for 20 bicycles on the ground floor which would be made available through a booking system, the application stated.