Plans for 138 flats at former university site

Guild House in Peterborough was sold by Anglia Ruskin University last year

City councillors have been recommended to approve plans to convert a former university building into flats and build new apartments around it.

Proposals have been submitted for 138 new homes on the site of Guild House, in Peterborough, which was sold by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) last year for £4.18m.

It served as the faculty for health, education, medicine and social care from 2011 until 2022, when ARU Peterborough opened its purpose-built campus.

The developers, MJS and Lynchwood, want to convert and extend Guild House into 90 flats and build 48 new flats across four purpose-built apartment blocks.

They propose building an extra storey of penthouse apartments onto Guild House, which planners described as "recognised for its architecture".

It was built in 1962 for the engineering firm Mitchell Construction, which fell into difficulties and was bought in the 1970s, and used as offices until ARU took over.

The proposed development has received 78 objections, including concerns over there being less than one parking space per flat, and that the buildings would consist of one and two-bedroom flats rather than family homes.

Council planners suggested certain conditions, such as the developers contributing nearly £66,000 to off-site open space.

It was also noted that "significant archaeological remains" dating back to medieval times had been found during an excavation in 2008, and that more excavations could be added as a condition.

Councillors will vote on the plans at a meeting on 3 September.