Decision soon on plan to turn stable into homes

Councillors could soon make a decision on plans to convert 19th Century stables near a nature reserve into new homes.

The 1885 building, owned by the church, is at St Johns Farmyard, near Wansford just outside Peterborough, and next to Bedford Purlieus National Nature Reserve, an ancient woodland.

The Church Commissioners for England, which administers the Church of England's property, applied to Peterborough City Council for planning permission for three homes.

Planning officers recommended approval, but a councillor insisted the scheme should be discussed by the planning committee, due to meet on Tuesday.

Gavin Elsey, an independent councillor who represents Wittering, was worried about the loss of a community facility.

He also claimed information supporting the application was inaccurate.

Elsey said the Church Commissioners should provide evidence of a lack of demand for the stables, and capacity at other local facilities.

There were seven other objections to the plans from residents.

They included a 50-page document submitted by a neighbour, setting out concerns about the project's impact on the environment and traffic.

The plans are for three single-storey homes.

The city council planners had previously recommended to grant the application.

A council case officer stated: "Officers take the view that the nature of the livery is commercial equestrian, whereby the stable provides a space and services for horse owners to keep their horses at a facility, typically for a fee, rather than a space for leisure activities.

"Therefore, the loss of the above would not be required to be robustly evidenced and assessed."

The harm to the building was assessed as low.

The case officer said the impact would be mitigated by "sensitive repair", improvements to the outside and by securing the building's "viable long term use".

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