Basingstoke: Permission given to convert office into houses

Bluett House, a vacant office building located in Cliddesden, has stood empty since June 2023 despite extensive marketing efforts.

The planning application, submitted on behalf of Farleigh Wallop Estate LLP, sought to determine if prior approval was required for changing the building’s use from commercial, business and service to houses.

The building consists of two connected single-storey sections, one brick-built and the other timber-clad, with a total internal floor area of 179sqm.

Bluett House is a vacant office building located in Cliddesden (Image: Farleigh Wallop Estate) READ MORE: Worting Park: Construction of 104 homes in Basingstoke

Situated within a small cluster of office buildings in Cliddesden, the building lies near residential areas to the north and office spaces and parking areas to the south and east.

The approved proposal includes converting Bluett House into three flats: one one-bedroom unit for two people and two two-bedroom units for three people each.

No external alterations are planned, and the building’s current entrances will serve the new residential units.

Parking arrangements remain within the existing courtyard, providing six spaces, including one visitor spot.

Refuse and recycling storage will also be accommodated in the courtyard.

While the council has approved the change of use, the proposal was met with an objection from a nearby business, Mercona, located at Borlase House.

The company raised concerns over potential security risks, privacy issues, and disruptions to their operations.

It expressed fears that an increase in residential activity could compromise its ability to monitor security and potentially lead to unauthorised access to the commercial estate, which is gated and locked during non-business hours.

Other objections highlighted worries about noise and disruption from construction, increased traffic congestion on shared access roads, and potential impacts on local infrastructure.

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Mercona also pointed out the possible strain on parking spaces and the incompatibility of residential properties within a primarily commercial area, and also said the further residential development could alter the estate’s business-oriented character.

Despite these concerns, the council’s planning officers concluded that the development would not lead to any material impacts on highway safety, flooding, contaminated land, or noise.

The character and sustainability of the local Conservation Area would not be adversely affected, and the change of use was considered in line with local planning policies.