Planners have refused an application to turn the former Otter Controls building into 14 new flats.

High Peak Borough Council rejected the plans from the Amos Group, which were for the conversion of two buildings to become new homes on Otters Ole, Market Street.

The northernmost of the two buildings comprises of a retail unit, formerly known as the ‘Bargain Store’.

Prior to becoming a retail unit, the building was used for light industrial purposes with ancillary offices by the former owners of the site, Otters Controls.

14 new apartments planned for former Otter Controls buildings in Buxton have been refused by the planning department.

placeholder image — 14 new apartments planned for former Otter Controls buildings in Buxton have been refused by the planning department.

The decision to reject the plans has been to the relief of residents as the application did receive objections and complaints.

Commenting on the application Alison Montague a resident at Otter Court said: “The plans show the fence dividing the old discount store and Otter Court will be removed.

“Two to three car parking spaces would be lost as would our bin store.

“If access to the new site is to be through Otter Court then I feel this would be too narrow as the width between the car parking and the conservative club is less than five metres and would not be suitable for two-way traffic with limited space available for passing /reversing. “There is also pedestrian access for property on market street leading to the adopted road by the conservative club.

“I therefore feel that any access to the new development should not be through Otter Court.”

Rejecting the plans High Peak Borough Council said: “The proposal would result in the loss of vehicle parking associated with a previously approved development, impacting the availability of off-street parking capacity, to the detriment of local highway capacity and safety.

“It has also not been demonstrated that safe and suitable access to the site can be achieved for all users, with the proposal creating a conflict with the previously approved development.

“It is considered that the additional comings and goings to the premises by vehicle traffic, passing in close proximity to existing residential properties in Otter Court, would result in harm to the amenity of nearby residents by virtue of an increase in ad-hoc noise and general disturbance.”

Had the plans been approved it would have seen each apartment will have its own open plan living / kitchen area, and be a mix of one, two and three-bedroomed flats.