Two flats that will “provide much-needed rented accommodation” in a village have been approved. 

Planners gave the go-ahead for the flats, applied for by Aitus Group, to be built behind York House on Main Street, Littleport. 

Case officer Rachael Forbes said the plans will not have a major effect on neighbouring dwellings. 

“The proposal is a one-and-a-half storey building, approximately 6.8m in height at its highest point, 8.9 metres in length and 9.8 metres in width,” Ms Forbes said in her report. 

“Given the distances between the proposed building, the neighbouring dwellings and the design of dwelling, it is considered that the proposal would not result in a significant overbearing impact to the neighbouring dwellings.” 

The site will consist of 300 square metres near the centre of Littleport. 

Gary Johns Architects, on behalf of the applicant, said the proposals aim to reduce the impact on nearby properties and the overall street scene. 

“The proposed flats are single storey with pitched roofs to minimise overbearing on neighbours,” they said. 

“The proposal is mostly out of view from the high street, and so has very little impact on the conservation area.” 

Access to the flats will be through Main Street to the north of the site, with existing vehicle and pedestrian access from the highway being retained. 

In October, Cambridgeshire County Council’s highways team supported the plans, as even though “access onto Main Street does not meet current standards, on the basis that there is no intensification of use, I do not object”. 

Ms Forbes said that the local highways department asked for amendments to the plans. 

“However, following clarification that the site was previously used for parking associated with former office use, the proposed flats would not result in an intensification of use,” she said. 

The plans for new flats come after an application to change the ground floor use of York House from office to residential use was approved last year. 

Gary Johns Architects say the current plans will “create a high-quality building, with much needed rental accommodation for the area. 

“Although it sits within a conservation area, the majority of buildings on Littleport High Street are of low-quality, and so we feel our proposal will only enhance the conservation area.”