Flats plan for Peak park to be refused

PLANS to convert vacant office blocks into new apartments are set to be turned down by members of the Peak District National Park Authority.

Planning officials have advised councillors to refuse permission for the proposals, which relate to the Endcliffe and Media House units within Deepdale Business Park, off the main A6 Ashford Road.

Blueprints submitted to the national park authority detail plans for 12 apartments, six in each building, with 31 parking spaces.

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The Friends of the Peak District group has objected to the proposals, saying that changing the use of the buildings from business to residential could “increase the risk of small and medium-sized enterprises needing to move out of the Peak District”.

The group’s objection goes on: “A broad range of viable business premises is essential to the vitality of the Peak District.

“The time that these units have stood empty covers a particularly lean period for local businesses.

“As and when economic prospects improve, the demand for such premises is likely to increase, and these premises would be a very useful part of the commercial property offer in Bakewell.”

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Planning officers, meanwhile, say that the development should be refused permission as it is contrary to policy.

In papers to go before a planning committee meeting next Friday, May 17, the officers say that the occupants of the proposed apartments would be “likely to suffer disturbance from noise and vibration generated by the adjacent industrial uses and from vehicle movements”.

They add that the proposed 31 parking spaces are “a significant over provision” and the proposal “is clearly contrary to a range of policies within the development plan”.

A final decision will be made by members at Friday’s meeting, to be held at the authority’s headquarters in Baslow Road, Bakewell, at 10am.