Plans for four-storey apartment block on Wellingborough's Embankment

A four-storey apartment block could be built on a piece of land which has failed to attract any interest after 20 years of marketing.

Plans for the residential building comprising of 38 self-contained apartments and flats with access and parking on Wellingborough's Embankment have been submitted.

Documents submitted as part of the application say: "The site was originally earmarked for commercial/office use and formed part of the larger development of offices and shops.

"Planning permission was previously granted in 1989 for three office blocks with associated parking and landscaping.

"However, only two of the three blocks were built, leaving the site undeveloped.

"There has been a number of unsuccessful attempts to provide commercial/office use on the site and the site has remained on the market for several years without any interest."

The plans are for 38 apartments including a mixture of one, two and three-bedroom dwellings.

If approved, there would be two lift and stair cores, a maintenance and plant room located at ground floor and external bin and bike storage serving the apartments.

The plans include 54 allocated parking spaces and four visitor spaces.

The planning documents go on to say: "The proposals will provide high quality accommodation in a part of the town that has good links to the rail and road networks and access to amenity and shopping facilities.

"The new building and landscaping will greatly benefit the Embankment street scene and improve the outlook for existing residential developments and adjacent office units on Embankment."

The proposed access into the site is from the existing hard surfaced right of way serving Christchurch House.

In conclusion, the planning documents state: "Whilst the proposal represents a change of use for this site it is in a sustainable location for residential development and adjacent to existing apartment developments and housing.

"This proposal will fit into the existing residential community and significantly improve the existing street scene.

"We have shown that the appearance, scale, amount and layout of the proposed dwellings are in keeping with the style and character of the area and wider town.

"Impact on neighbouring properties will be minimal, and indeed improve the outlook towards the site."

The planning statement submitted by the applicant says the site has been subject of an active marketing campaign for approximately 20 years by both local and regional agents to attract an office occupier.

But despite several positive enquiries over the years no occupiers have progressed their initial interest.

The application will be considered by Wellingborough Council.

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