Flats plan for offices at Ask House, in Northgate Avenue, Bury St Edmunds, approved despite concerns

A block of offices in Bury St Edmunds could be transformed into flats despite concerns about overdevelopment and the impact on highway safety.

West Suffolk Council has granted a prior approval application to convert Ask House, in Northgate Avenue, into 18 flats.

The initial proposal, submitted by Ify Madueke, was for 19 flats but was amended to provide sufficient cycle storage and EV charging provision as well as addressing concerns by Suffolk Highways.

Suffolk Highways initially issued a holding objection due to insufficient information about on-site parking, vehicle manoeuvring, emergency vehicle and waste management access paths and inadequate cycle storage and EV charging.

This was withdrawn when the plans were updated and Bury Town Council submitted a holding objection subject to Highways’ concerns being addressed.

West Suffolk Council received 17 objections from residents with concerns about overlooking/ loss of privacy, overdevelopment, insufficient car parking and impact on highway safety, amenity and character.

There were concerns about the loss of an employment site and impact on the environment.

A council officer report, which recommended approval, said the amended layout provided 25 parking spaces, exceeding the minimum requirement.

The revised plans demonstrated adequate vehicle manoeuvrability within the site for all vehicles, including emergency and waste services, it said.

The design incorporated sufficient enclosed waste storage and presentation areas within a wooden shelter.

A secure bike storage facility accommodating 20 cycles was added, with electrical supply for e-bikes. The development would feature 19 EV charging points.

The report said the highway safety impacts were acceptable.