Historic Phoenix Court on Blyth Road, Maltby, in Rotherham, has already been converted into a nine-apartment building in the past, a planning report states.

The application is seeking to raise the main roof to create one full additional floor and an additional floor within the roof space to build four, two-bed apartments – with three on the new second floor and one within the roof space floor (third floor).

The roof would be raised by more than three metres (from the existing 9.5 metres to 12.8 metres). The report shows that all four apartments would have more than 61 sqm of space, which is the standard requirement. The parking area would be altered and two extra parking spaces would be added.

The applicant’s Planning Statement states: “The proposal to raise the roof to create new housing is in line with the government’s requirements for using existing buildings to create new homes.

“Materials to the walls will match the existing and will be clad in stone cladding slips with a dark grey matching roof. This approach has been accepted by English Heritage on many occasions as being a sympathetic way of extending a building upwards. The building is structurally capable of being extended in this way.”

The planning report says that 11 letters of objection were submitted, including one from Maltby Parish Council – however, there is a letter of support, as well. The objectors claim parking will be an issue at the site and Phoenix Court is a historic building which has not “been properly maintained”.

Some have concerns about tree felling during the works.

The report says the application is “acceptable in principle” and the proposal is recommended for approval subject to conditions.

Rotherham Council’s planning board will sit on May 18 at 9am at Rotherham Town Hall.

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