Repairs approved for Grade II listed building

Plans to convert the vacant office building in Priestgate into nine self-contained flats were approved last August

Repair works to a historic city centre building have been approved in preparation to convert the former office block into flats.

The Carmelcrest Group was granted listed building consent to make repairs to the Grade II listed building at 45 Priestgate in Peterborough.

Plans to convert the vacant office building into nine self-contained flats had already been approved.

The repairs and changes to the 18th Century property will include the creation of an opening to allow for on-site parking, the creation of walls within the garden to provide small patios for rear flats, the replacement of roof tiles and the addition of structural timbers.

According to planning documents, the proposed works were considered to result in a neutral impact on the character, appearance and historic significance of the building.

Simon Machen of Barmach Ltd produced a planning statement on behalf of Carmelcrest Group and said: "The scheme offers the additional benefit of bringing an empty building which has suffered neglect through previous ownership back into use and the provision of residential accommodation in the city centre.

"There are no adverse impacts which would outweigh the benefits."

It added that it was "clearly a sustainable proposal which will improve the economic, social and environmental conditions of the area".

Peterborough City Council approved the application with the condition that the work began within three years.