A developer has been given the go-ahead to double the number of flats contained in what were two terraced houses despite concerns from a number of statutory consultees.

The developer a Mr Lederberger has been given planning permission to convert the four flats in 143-145 County Road – which was County House Residential Home – into eight flats.

He will do that by constructing rear extensions to the properties on the ground and first floors. The front of the building will remain largely unaltered, save for the changing of one of the windows back into its original function as a doorway. 

The report by planning officers said: “Such a minor change would not be considered to have a material impact on the overall character and appearance of the pair of properties or the surrounding area.”

But the layout of the flats inside caused some consultees concerns.

The submitted plans showed the four flats at the front of the building would have no separate living room, just a large bedroom looking out on County Road with a bathroom and kitchen behind. The flats at the rear of the property would use the extensions to create a living room as well.

This caused concerns to South Swindon Parish Council which objected because: “The primary fire escape routes from the inner bedrooms leading through the living spaces and kitchen have not been established and identified. Plans submitted do not show any external residential household waste storage bins or area or sufficient cycle storage sufficient residential parking.”

The council’s public health officer also wrote: “Only flat six and flat eight meet the Nationally Described Space Standards for one-bedroom flats. Four of the flats do not have separate living spaces either.”

But the council’s planning officer’s report said that the developer had said more living space could be created by changing the bathrooms to shower rooms, That would mean all eight flats would meet or exceed the minimum space requirements.

The report added: “As such future occupants should be afforded a good standard of amenity.”

The concerns with fire escape were addressed by moving the bedrooms in all the flats to be ‘outer’ rooms not hemmed in by living rooms or kitchens. Because fires are more likely in kitchens or living rooms, it is not expected that fire escapes should be through these rooms.