Plans to redevelop an “ugly” former box making and printing factory to make way for homes have been approved in Cheltenham amid parking congestion fears.
The Prinbox Works in Lypiatt Street will be demolished and six flats will be built in its place.
More than 20 people objected to the proposals and raised concerns over parking congestion, the proposal’s design, loss of privacy and its scale and form.
Councillor Jackie Chelin (LD, Park) referred the proposals to Cheltenham Borough Council’s planning committee due to the level of disquiet about the plans.
She spoke at the meeting at the Municipal Offices on December 18 and explained how she and fellow Park Councillor Dilys Barrell (LD) had raised the likely parking issues with the developer.
Cllr Chelin highlighted the issue of egress from Saddlers Lane because of car parking too close to the corners of Tivoli Walk.
“I have always felt the Prinbox Works were out of place, if not ugly,” she said.
However, she said many people, including an architect who live nearby, see the plans as a “missed opportunity” to “meld a more sympathetic contemporary design into the existing Victorian street scene”.
Robert Maitland, who spoke on behalf of Cheltenham Civic Society, said he knew the site well.
He explained they support the principle of residential development there but are opposed to its design.
“The existing buildings are unattractive so redevelopment of this site is an opportunity to provide more and better housing,” he said.
However, he explained that the proposed design did not enhance the appearance of the area and failed to match the early and mid Victorian terraces in the Tivoli area.
“It wastes an opportunity to make the area more attractive,” he said
He said the large parking bays would create “gaping empty spaces opening directly onto the pavement”.
“Completely out of character, and potentially messy and unsettling.
“The outdoor amenity space provided is minimal and mean.”
Becky Brown, speaking on behalf of the applicant, said the main consideration for the scheme would be the impact on the conservation area, neighbouring residents, a tree and parking.
She said the architects have spent a considerable amount of time refining the scheme.
“We are really pleased to see that officers have concluded it would result in a significant betterment of the site and its surroundings,” she said.
Ms Brown said it would not preserve but enhance that part of the conservation area.
She explained the tree would be retained and only three on-street parking spaces will be lost while the six proposed homes would have two off road spaces each.
During the debate, Councillor Simon Wheeler (LD, Hester’s Way) said the proposed new homes could not look like houses built in the spa town when “people heated their homes using coal on open fires”.
“Things have to change, things have to move on,” he said
And Councillor Iain Dobie (LD, College) said he agreed with professional architects and would be voting in favour of it.
Councillors voted unanimously to approve plans.