Plans for flats approved

A plan to build flats in the city centre rejected once for being ‘cramped’ have now been approved by the council.

The new proposal would see two new one-bed apartments built behind the recently converted Phoenix House off Broad Street in Worcester – one fewer than previously proposed.

Earlier this year, planning officers at Worcester City Council said the application by Nick Carroll-headed Deansway Regeneration could not be approved because the “substandard” apartments would be too cramped.

Despite the size of the apartments still being smaller than the national standard, planners at Worcester City Council said a balcony was “sufficient” amenity space and gave the green light to the work.

A report outlining the approval said: “Each flat is served with sufficient amenity space via balconies off the living room areas and floor-to-ceiling windows for bedroom areas.

“The amenity of the future occupiers of the proposed development would not be harmed in terms of privacy, overlooking or outlook as a result of the siting of the proposed openings in the building and the distance between the existing front building and the new building.

“Whilst small and below the expected level of accommodation if space standards were adopted, it is considered that the proposed units would provide a suitable level of accommodation for their future occupiers as they would be logically laid out and would not appear contrived or cramped in their layout.”

The application put forward by Deansway Regeneration said the plan had been revised to address the concerns in the last proposal rejected by planners at Worcester City Council including alterations to stop overshadowing and make sure the building would be in keeping with neighbours.

The application said the extension would not be “dominant or cramped” and would be the same size as existing surrounding buildings.

Deansway Regeneration said balcony space for each flat would serve as “sufficient” amenity space.

The main building fronting Broad Street, which was built in the 1960s, was converted into 17 apartments across four floors and a new office as part of work next to the busy Deansway by the same developer.

The application said the new building would sit next to the four-storey modern-looking extension built last year with a design that fits in with surrounding older buildings rather than the modern extension.