Four-storey office building could be turned into new apartments

The existing four-storey building would be extended with two additional floors

A four-storey office building in a Cambridgeshire city could be extended to make way for new apartments. MJS Construction LTD has submitted an application to Peterborough City Council to extend and convert the “prestigious” Monkstone House into residential apartments.

If approved, the proposal, on City Road, Peterborough, would see the existing building extended with two additional floors to create 65 residential apartments. The upward extension would deliver 22 residential apartments and the conversion of the existing building would deliver a further 43.

The plans indicate there would be 58 two-bedroom apartments and seven one-bedroom units. The applicant said it would deliver “well designed residential accommodation” within a “highly sustainable city-centre location”.

A planning statement reads: “While the proposed development will result in a building containing multiple dwellinghouses, the overall height of the building will remain below 18 metres and will not exceed 7 storeys.”

The proposals would incorporate secure and convenient cycle parking provision for future occupiers.

The planning statement continues: “The scheme makes effective use of previously developed land and represents an appropriate form of intensification, making a positive contribution to the delivery of housing without altering the established building footprint or access arrangements.”

The site is located within Flood Zone 1, which represents an area of lowest flood risk. The applicant said the change of use from office accommodation to residential is not expected to result in an increase in traffic generation.

The developer described Monkstone House as a “prestigious and prominent office building well-located in the heart of the city centre and major commercial district”.