Plans for historic Deans Court in Cathedral Precincts to become flats

The 19th century Grade II listed building is currently being used as offices but has been unoccupied for the past 18 months.

The building is owned by the The Hastings Trust which supports the cathedral’s musical traditions.

Tim Alban Jones, Vice Dean of the cathedral and trustee of The Hastings Trust, said the plans if approved would bring Deans Court back to life and provide a home for the Cathedral Choir’s scholars

“The offices have been empty for the last 18 months or so. There’s been no interest at all in people taking it up as offices so we thought it was a bit of a shame that this wonderful building in a prime position has not been occupied,” he said.

“So we want to try and do something else. You won’t get a better location than this.”

Deans Court was built in the 19th century, originally as cottages.

Since then it has had a variety of uses.

If it is converted into flats, one would be used by the trust and three would be rented out privately.

Mr Alban Jones said: “We’ve got a number of young people singing in the choir as lay clerks and choral scholars who have finished university and are singing in the choir for a year. We pay them a small fee.

“We would accommodate three of them in one of the flats and they would also help to contribute to the community.”

He added that it will be “full steam ahead” if the green light is given by Peterborough City Council.