Luxury flats in Cambridge approved - despite concern over rooftop parties

“Luxurious” new flats in Cambridge have been given planning permission, despite some neighbours’ concerns about rooftop parties.

Cambridge City Council approved the plans to redevelop a site in Green End Road, in East Chesterton, to build nine flats, with a ground floor commercial space.

The two former houses on the site have been demolished as it was deemed to not be “economically viable to repair and restore” them.

Eight of the new flats are proposed to be one-bedroom flats, with the other flats planned to be a studio flat. The plans include private balconies, as well as a communal rooftop terrace.

In planning documents submitted by applicant Dudley Developments Ltd, it said: “We intend for this high quality scheme to enhance the existing suburban environment whilst respecting the architectural character of the area and the amenities of surrounding properties.

“The proposed development incorporates a design of high quality which provides significant visual enhancements to the site and provides much needed housing with the city whilst ensuring a deliverable development.

“A luxurious residential environment will be provided for future residents and the ground floor units are provided with clearly demarcated threshold amenity spaces as well as much needed smaller commercial premises in a thriving area of Cambridge.

“The site is located within a highly sustainable location and is in close proximity to a wide range of services and facilities. As such, the area is ideally suited to this type of accommodation.”

Plans were previously approved to redevelop the site to offer seven flats, including a roof terrace, in 2021. A further application was then submitted for nine flats, without a roof terrace, but was refused in 2022 over concerns about the lack of communal space and design.

At a planning committee on March 29, council officers said they believed the latest application solved the issues, with “sufficient community space” thanks to the roof terrace, a “high quality” design and “secure accessible adequate cycle storage”.

However, neighbours had other views.

One objector raised concerns that the roof terrace would be used for “noisy gatherings” and parties.

Another opponent said: “We are very concerned that balconies and a roof terrace have been added to the application. The use of these facilities late at night and in the small hours of the morning can lead to being disturbed by loud music and voices, which we have experienced in the local vicinity of our property.”

Planning officers said there was “no evidence” the residential roof terrace would cause anti-social behaviour, adding that any issues could be raised and dealt with by environmental health officers.

Cllr Jenny Gawthrope Wood (Lab, King’s Hedges) asked whether a management plan could put an 11pm limit to noise or loud music.

Officers said it should be “self enforcing”.

Cllr Martin Smart (Lab, King’s Hedges) said he recognised that the flats met the minimum space standards requirements, but said it “could be better”. He added that the planned development was “reasonably good looking scheme”, and said it did “seem to address the concerns” from before.

When the application was put to a vote councillors voted unanimously in favour of approving the plans.