Go ahead for plans to convert offices at Peterborough business park into flats

Developers have been given the green light to convert the Yorkshire Building Society offices at Lynch Wood into 96 two-bedroom flats.

The Society is relocating its 154 staff to smaller offices in Southgate Business Park, Orton Southgate, and is seeking to sell the Lynch Wood premises.

The proposal was approved by Peterborough City Council planning officers after the applicant, Simon Machen on behalf of the Brightfield Group, of Suttons Lane, Deeping Gate, had sought a ‘prior’ approval for a change of use application.

Since 2013, the conversion of commercial premises to dwellings is considered to be a permitted right, which does not require a formal change of use planning application.

The application had prompted a number of objections from nearby residents who claimed the local school and health centre were already at over capacity, apartments will put more traffic on to already busy roads, the business park should be kept for employment uses and that flats might deter other companies from moving into the area.

Councillor Julie Howell, a representative for Orton Waterville, said: “Some local residents who live in Orton Wistow and Orton Northgate are understandably dismayed that a ‘prior application’, which is very limited in detail, was submitted in this case.

“Local residents would have appreciated more dialogue with the applicant as this development will change the character of Lynch Wood Business Park and the local residential areas forever.

“Sometimes, there is a moral case to be answered. While we all understand that there is a need for more homes, and while we all understand that Covid-19 will have an impact on the future demand for office space, applications like this one will change the character of a community.

“To me, it seems only right and fair that the community concerned should be consulted and fully informed.

“After all, Orton Wistow and Orton Northgate would not be lovely places that they are were it not for the efforts of the people who currently live there.

“Some residents tell me they will sell-up if the YBS building is converted to flats. I find this gutting.”

A spokesman for Yorkshire Building Society has previously said: “We will be selling the Lynch Wood site, but we don’t have a timescale for this at this stage.

“As the Society has been supporting people into their own homes for more than 150 years, a planned conversion of our former main office in Peterborough into flats would be seen as a fitting use of the building.”

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