A HOUSE builder is a step closer to bringing an apartment block of flats to the city centre after its latest planning application was filed.

Allen Planning Ltd submitted a planning application last year in connection to turning the vacant office building, situated at 2 St John’s Street, into a complex of 34 flats.

Area - another look at the office spaceArea - another look at the office space (Image: Google Maps)

The three-storey site building was constructed in the early 1990s and featured an open plan office space.

Historically, the site has permission for the replacement of windows, external alterations to the site, and grant of prior notification for the conversion of the building into 34 residential apartments.

This latest application, submitted on August 28, is bidding for the discharge of a condition in relation to the plans. This means the builders are meeting legal requirements. 

City centre - St John's StreetCity centre - St John's Street (Image: Google Maps)

The developer wants to discharge a condition which requires sound insulation for the properties. 

The planning report said: “Prior to the first use or occupation of the development as hereby permitted, the building shall have been constructed or modified to provide sound insulation against noise from the adjacent public houses.

“Assuming regulated entertainment with amplified music, in accordance with a scheme devised by a competent person and agreed, in writing, by the local Planning authority.

“The insulation shall be maintained as agreed thereafter.”

The reason for this condition was to ensure that the block of flats would not be “detrimental” to the surrounding area by unwanted noise emission.

The building, 2 St John’s Street, is directly located next to The Fox & Fiddler pub and The Playhouse pub, meaning it is an area that can “generate” potential high noise levels.

Pub - The Fox & FiddlerPub - The Fox & Fiddler (Image: Google Maps)

To assess the noise levels in the area, an environmental noise survey was carried out at 2 St John’s Street.

The house builder’s plans to install glazing windows, an “appropriate use of ventilation” recommended “should be sufficient to achieve recommended internal noise levels” for the development.