Property plan for Peterborough’s Blenheim Court refused

PL Bison Ltd wanted to convert vacant offices into studios and apartments but has had its application rejected by Peterborough City Council.

The building is located at Peppercorn Close in New England, and under the plans two units would have been converted into four studios, as well as five one-bedroom and three two-bedroom apartments.

A planning statement submitted to the council said that: “Units 2 and 3 at Blenheim Court are currently unoccupied with little (to no) prospects of being occupied for business offices due to the lack of demand in this location and with the current economic climate as a result of the global pandemic.

“The proposal provides well needed housing for the smaller household sector, of high quality self-contained apartments at affordable rental prices.”

PL Bison also told the council: “Our goal is to support the council’s objectives of increasing good quality and affordable housing stock in Peterborough, especially in this area where we believe there is in high residential demand and very low office demand.”

However, the application for permitted development was rejected by the council, which stated: “Insufficient information has been provided to demonstrate that an acceptable level of amenity for future occupiers of the development would be achieved in terms of noise impacts.

“This is in relation to existing noise sources within the surrounding area which includes operations and plant associated with neighbouring commercial units.

“An adequate noise assessment has not been provided which demonstrates that satisfactory mitigation measures could be achieved to provide satisfactory amenity for future occupiers.”