PLANNING ROUND-UP: Applications approved in Swindon this week

TOWN CENTRE: Empty first-floor offices above shops in a small block next to the Pilgrim Centre will be converted into two flats. The second floor of the 1960s block in Regent Circus has already been converted into apartments.

The approval of the proposal by Slough-based Ashburn estate agents comes despite the objections of South Swindon Parish Council: “The flats are too small, coming in at approximately 51m and 56m squared. The government’s recommended minimum for a flat with two double bedrooms over a single story is 70m squared.

“It isn’t clear how the bathroom in either flat is intended to be ventilated, as neither windows nor extractors are shown in the plans.”

TOWN CENTRE: Barristers at Pump Court Chambers in Temple Street, near Regent Circus, will not be pleased that the offices above theirs are to become flats.

The landlord at 5 Temple Chambers, Peter Opperman of WBM Commercial Property Consultants, has had his proposals to turn the second floor offices into two apartments, one with two bedrooms and the other with one.

But the lawyers who work below where the flats will go are set against the idea: “When people come to us for legal advice they are often worried about their circumstances. We represent many vulnerable individuals who will attend chambers to obtain advice. We also use our office space to conduct mediations which by their very nature tend to prove tense and stressful.

“All our clients, both solicitors and members of the public, expect and deserve a high degree of professionalism from us. Our landlord’s proposals to convert the office space above us into residential accommodation will have a significant impact on our business.”

The barristers are concerned about noise from both construction and the occupied flats and also the prospect of clients and residents sharing the same entrance and staircase.

Stratton St Margaret: Andrew Stone, who runs Pearce Funeral Services, has been given the go-ahead to turn his flat at 92A Ermin Street, where he lives above his business, into more offices. The one-bedroom flat will be turned into three separate offices and a staff room.

WROUGHTON: A farm building which is currently used as offices will be turned into a family home.

The owner of Costow Farm, Richard Curtis, has been given the go-ahead by Euclid Street planners to turn the two-storey building into a single, four-bedroom home.

At the moment there are three offices and a workshop on the ground floor, and four and a kitchen on the first floor. The house will feature a large kitchen and breakfast room with living and dining room on the ground floor and four bedrooms upstairs.

WROUGHTON: The Grade II listed Spencer’s Farmhouse in the High Street will see its site divided.

Owner Peter Ackrill will be allowed to develop an annex to the building which originally dates back to the 17th century with 18th and 19th century alterations, into a separate home.

The annex is already in use as domestic residence, but as part of the main building. The house will feature a bedroom on the ground floor and on the second floor and will have a garage and car port.

The decision by planning officers says: “The current proposals are considered to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area and preserves the listed building and features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses.

“The less than substantial harm arises from the subdivision of the plot, however, in this case the subdivision proposed is a hedge, which needs no planning permission.”