Go ahead for change of use for house in Silver Street, Ely to offices for city property management firm

Proposed new offices at 51 Silver Street Ely (Image: Archant)

An impact statement in support of the application by Keeleys Letting and Property Management, which is currently located in St Mary’s Street, listed four reasons for the move including the need for better parking, more frontage for windows and advertising.

The statement also pointed out Keeleys requires enough office space for six people with room for expansion.

The firm also needed to be within walking distance of the city centre.

Other offices currently available within the city centre boundary were listed with reasons why they were unsuitable.

It also said: “We have been good tenants for 26 years. Keeleys are a quiet and unassuming business who operate only five days a week between office hours. We would not affect residential amenities.”

Planning officer Oli Haydon, of East Cambridgeshire District Council, said in his report: “The building form and design is suitable for the proposed office use and it would not harm the visual amenity of the conservation area; so long as the signage and displays are sympathetic to the conservation area and subtle in appearance.”

It also said the highways impact from the change “should not be harmful as there is ample parking in the Barton Road car park and in the adjacent lay-by. Estate agents are not considered to cause a significantly heavy traffic impact.”

Mr Haydon said only one letter was received from neighbouring residents which did not object but raised concerns about whether the change could make it easier to convert the building to a shop in the future.

Permission was granted subject to conditions.