Flats approved despite living condition concerns

Plans have been approved to turn the former Hare and Hounds Hotel, in North Brink, into flats

A former pub and hotel is set to be turned into six new flats despite concerns some of the homes could offer "substandard living conditions".

Fenland District Council's planning officers recommended refusing an application to convert the former Hare and Hounds Hotel in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire.

They said the proposed accomodation did not meet national space standards and some of the homes lacked "adequate natural light and ventilation".

But councillors agreed to the plans and "wished the developers luck" with converting the building which had sat empty for almost two years.

'Good luck'

Planning officers said the development would result in the loss of a pub and potential jobs, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service. .

They said evidence was needed to show there was not viable reuse of the building.

Matthew Hall, representing the developer, countered there would be no loss, as it had already been closed for nearly two years.

He said there were other pubs and hotels a short distance away and that converting the Grade II Listed building would bring a "very prominent building back into use right in the centre of Wisbech".

Mr Hall also pointed out that the district council had previously approved other developments in the area that would see new homes created below the national space standards.

Councillor Jan French, said she was surprised the development had been recommended for refusal and believed the person proposing the changes to the empty site "deserves a medal".

Councillor Charlie Marks also supported he plans, raising concerns it might otherwise "fall into disrepair".

"It is a prominent building - as you drive into Wisbech you can see it," Mr Marks said.

"Quite honestly, anybody wanting to invest in a Grade II Listed building, good luck to them, we should support them as this could be another property that falls into disrepair."