Plans to convert retail support units at Peterborough's Rivergate Arcade after legal error leads to rejection

Plans to convert first-floor retail support units inside Peterborough’s Rivergate Shopping Centre into flats have been resubmitted after a council error led to their rejection.

Prior approval consent for the 13 new flats was originally rejected in October with officers citing unacceptable noise levels and a lack of light natural light; neither concerns could be fully investigated due to the fact that the previously-approved skylights had not been installed.

Savills, which submitted the application on behalf of The Bank of New York Mellon (International) Limited, of London, was originally advised that as the sky lights had not been installed and could approval for them could not se secured during a prior approval application.

The original application proposed a grampian condition- which would have required the installation of the consented rooflights prior to first residents moving in.

The council, following the receipt of legal advice, was dismissed this as not being legally vaild.

Further legal advice from the applicant has confirmed that the condition could indeed be legally obtained and therefore the council’s basis was “misconceived.”

The council acknowledged this and advised the applications be fully resubmitted along with an updated noise assessment which considers the noise impacts with the rooflights in place should be provided.

The proposals seek to turn the units into self-contained residential studio flats of various sizes between 39 square metres to 53 square metres for one or two occupants.

They, along with the full noise and daylight assessments can be found on Peterborough City Council’s planning portal using reference 23/00905/PRIOR.