Cambridge councillor asks: ‘Will people rent new single-bed flats and admit their sexual life is without prospect?’

A councillor has raised concerns about whether people will want to rent new single-bed flats due to be built in Cambridge and “admit that their social and sexual life is completely without prospect”.

Cllr Naomi Bennett (Green, Abbey) made the comments in relation to plans to build four new flats on top of an existing block of flats in the city.

Under the plans two of the one-bedroom flats will only have room for a single bed, although planning officers said they met minimum space standards.

Avon Ground Rents Ltd put the plans forward to build the four flats - one with two bedrooms and three with one-bedroom - in a new floor on top of Edeva Court, in Wulfston Way.

The application follows previous plans for three flats.

Cambridge City Council initially refused permission for that extension, raising concerns that the new homes would not offer enough amenity space. That decision was overturned on appeal and the planning permission was granted.

At a planning committee meeting last Wednesday (7 August) a representative of the developer told councillors they could offer more flats by making them smaller, which it was suggested would better match what was wanted in the local market.

Cllr Bennett noted two of the one-bedroom flats only had room for a single bed.

She said: “I think my only concern is whether these properties are actually not going to be a white elephant.

“Even in rental properties for single people, the demand is for a double bedroom, nobody wants to sort of admit that their social and sexual life is completely without prospect, I’m not sure that is a planning matter.”

Cllr Bennett found the idea of building a new floor on top of an existing block “abhorrent”, but recognised it was allowed.

However, she also felt the new plans were more acceptable, since larger flats would have appealed more to families, but there was no lift.

Cllr Martin Smart (Lab, King’s Hedges) felt the homes were “all being squeezed in” and felt it was “not great”.

But in terms of planning he could not find any issues.

The application was approved unanimously.