Developer appeals as Cambridge City Council rejects ‘dominant and intrusive’ flats plans

A developer has appealed to the Planning Inspectorate after Cambridge City Council rejected plans for a new block of flats branded “dominant and intrusive” by officials.

Ruda Shiva Limited wants to knock down 87 and 89 Perne Road and build seven flats - two with two bedrooms and five with one bedroom.

But city council officers felt the redevelopment would be “bulky” and “overbearing”.

The developer argued the design of the new building “responds to many of the key elements found in the road”, and said the height was “comparable but a little higher” than existing houses.

The council said the back of the building would be “effectively” three-storeys and would “overwhelm” the site. It argued the “proposal fails to provide a good quality living environment for future occupiers” with a lack of light.

But in an appeal statement, the developer said: “We consider the proposal to be entirely appropriate for this location, whilst making efficient use of the site, and that no unreasonable harm would result to the character of the area.”

A decision will be made by the Planning Inspector after the 14 August deadline for comments from the developer and council.