Application lodged that could lead to Waterperry Court becoming flats
10/02/2021
Change of use requested to enable Bretherton’s old offices to be considered for conversion to 30 residential dwellings
An application has been lodged with Cherwell District Council that could lead to the offices at Waterperry Court on Banbury’s Middleton Road being converted to flats. Currently the building can’t be used for residential dwellings.
The application for change of use has been lodged by Waterperry Court Developments Ltd. They are seeking prior approval for the Change of Use from office to residential use which would enable them to move forward with a project to create 30 self-contained flats.
In support of the application a report by UPP Architects and Town Planners says there was little interest in maintaining the site for office purposes following a marketing campaign. The report says that the existing offices are not up to modern standards and would be costly to upgrade and the current COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated a move to more flexible working practices anyway.
UPP also say that the site’s location within Banbury is not popular with business’ looking for office accommodation when compared to surrounding towns and cities. The report quotes White Commercial Surveyors as confirming “the town is generally not considered as an ‘office location’ for companies looking to move into the region”.
Waterperry Court was developed in 1989 and comprises five self-contained office buildings prominently located on the Middleton Road. Five separate office buildings are included in the terrace with a large car park offering 52 spaces, 18 of which are situated under the buildings.
A large part of Waterperry Court had been used by Brethertons Solicitors until they relocated to South Bar last year.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
