Plans for 67 new flats on site of popular Peterborough pub approved

Plans to create 67 new flats on the site of the once-popular Cherry Tree Pub on Oundle Road, Woodston have been approved.

The pub closed in 2016 and despite a campaign being launched to save it in 2020, it was sold to developers for more than £400,000 in the same year.

The building itself is not listed but is on Peterborough City Council’s ‘Local List of Heritage Assets in Peterborough.’

Developers stated, however, that “retaining the original pub building at the front of the site is deemed of the utmost importance. Given that pubs are becoming less viable, the proposed change of use to residential is favourable.”

Boon Brown Architects then submitted plans to partially demolish the and extend the pub and use the rest of the 0-37 hectare site to create 67 new flats across two blocks.

Under the approved plans, the pub building itself will be partially demolished, an extension added and the whole building converted into residential use.

This is along with a new two-storey frontage building being built to replace the brick-built barn currently on the site and behind that a new four/five-storey block of flats, which would be arranged around a central courtyard and with undercroft parking.

The building to the rear will be known as Block A and contain 13 one-bed flats, 33 two-bed flats and eight one-bed flats.

The extended former pub building and the barn will be known as Block B and C and will contain nine one-bed flats and four two-bed flats.

There are provisions for 63 car parking spaces in total, with 51 of these coming in a car parking basement under Block A. Each block would have its own secure cycle facility as well.

There are also plans for a new access route to the left of the pub, this would be in the middle of Block B and C.

The bus stop outside of the pub will also be relocated further down the path to in front of the apartments at Fairview Court.

The application stated: “The applicant’s intention is to create an attractive development which celebrates the historic nature of the site and reconnects the vacant land back into the community in a sensitive and appropriate manner.

"The site sits within the general pattern of development in Oundle Road and represents an opportunity to rejuvenate the existing street scene as well as to reconcile that of its immediate surroundings.

"The loss of the public house has been considered. It has been closed since 2016 and suffered from arson and vandalism, it is in a poor state of repair and would require significant investment to reopen as a pub.

"There is considerable alternative provision in the local area. Its loss can therefore be justified and complies with adopted local policy.

"The proposals have been thoroughly considered, taking into account its viability, visual impact, mass, safety and accessibility.

The application can be viewed in full on the city council’s planning portal- reference 21/01268/FUL.