Latest news with #flats
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Pub near St Neots Market Square to be turned into nine flats
A town centre pub that has been empty for about four years will be converted into nine District Council approved plans to redevelop the former Brook and Barter pub at St Neots Market Square, pub closed in 2021 and no offers were made to open a new business when it was marketed, said planning Hitchin, an Independent councillor on St Neots Town Council, said the creation of nine flats, including five studio flats, would be "overdevelopment". The proposal included plans to build five studio flats, one one-bedroom flat, and three two-bedroom Homes Ltd, who submitted the plans, said there would be space for a commercial unit on the ground floor of the building facing onto Market development would also be car free with 12 cycle parking spaces, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.A planning statement said it would bring the site back into use and as the building had been "gradually deteriorating" and the unit required "extensive remodelling"."The applicant therefore proposed the total transformation of the site through redeveloping it, predominantly for residential purposes," the application stated. Kevin Gulson, a Conservative councillor on Huntingdonshire District Council, supported the plans and said he recognised the pub had been closed "for some time". Overdevelopment Concerns were raised by Hitchin, who said the town council supported the principle of creating new flats, but objected to the current said: "This is overdevelopment... and this raises real concerns about the living environment for future residents and does not reflect best practices in design or sustainable housing."Secondly, we object to the loss of valuable retail space. This is a prominent town frontage in Market Square, the replacement commercial space is minimal and poorly integrated, this results in a net loss to the town centre commercial vitality."She said turning the site predominantly into housing "undermines that [Market Square] investment" and would be "damaging to the local economy and vibrancy of the town centre".Steve McAdam, an Independent councillor on Huntingdonshire District Council, said the district council had previously refused plans to turn a shop or pub into homes, and asked planning officers what was different about this responded that developers needed to demonstrate there was no reasonable prospect of the pub or shop being retained or restored. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
16-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Plan to use Reading vacant office building for flats rejected
A plan to reuse vacant offices with 52 flats close to a town centre has been rejected over noise Court, in Oxford Road, Reading, has been empty since 2022 and was previously used as the Centre for Health and Disability Assessments for the Department for Work and Borough Council said it was not satisfied the proposal to use the three-storey building for the flats would not result in "significant noise impacts".A previous plan to use the site for 120 flats was rejected last year. The Royal Metrological Society's building, which sits next to Eaton Court in Oxford Road, would have been unaffected. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
CNA
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
Say 'I do' in comfort: 12 best wedding flats (and sneakers) for walking down the aisle
Many of us have grown accustomed to flat shoes post-COVID so there's really no reason to force your poor feet into achingly painful stilettos even in the name of your wedding. Case in point: Many Hollywood brides have long been wearing flats to their wedding. Yoko Ono wore white sneakers when she married music legend John Lennon. Keira Knightley paired her couture dress with ballet flats. Some may argue that the 1.7m actress has a natural born advantage. But Zoe Kravitz who stands at 1.57m also chose to walk down the aisle in flats when she wed actor Karl Glusman (they divorced in 2021). Tennis champ Serena Williams famously wore a pair of custom Swarovski-studded Nike Cortez to her wedding cocktail party. The sports star covered the dance floor with the same ease she covers the tennis court. So if towering heels send chills down your spine, take these celebrity cues and consider flats for your wedding. After all, grimacing in pain won't make for a good look in nuptial snaps. From basic to designer, here are 12 options to see you through everything from garden party rites to destination weddings to lavish ceremonies. 1. MELISSA HARMONIC ECLIPSE AD, S$79 Footwear for beach weddings can be tricky. Instead of suffering sand bits in your shoes, opt for theme-appropriate thong sandals that celebrate the occasion and at the same time, lets you flaunt the perfect pedicure. Available at Melissa. 2. ADIDAS SAMBA OG BALLERINA, S$129 Too cool for stilettos? Then train your eyes on this pair that will help you earn your stripes in the street cred department. It may look like a pair of ballerinas but it really moves like a pair of sneakers. The padded and quilted collar at the back ensures added comfort even sans socks. Available at Adidas. 3. NIKE AIR RIFT BREATHE, S$169 Breathable fabric is a must if you have sweaty feet. Made from lightweight mesh, this pair helps you stay dry so you can direct your attention to the things that really matter. Plus, the air cushioning and plush foam midsole let you stay light on the feet all day. Available at Nike. 4. ON CLOUD CLOUDVENTURE, FROM S$169 'Built for the trail, reimagined for everyday' that's what the design engineers had in mind when developing this pair. If you're looking for "something blue" for the wedding, consider this option that is designed in collaboration with Loewe. Available at On. 5. CAMPER CASI MYRA, S$225 If actress Margaret Qualley wearing ballerinas to her wedding sounds like a brilliant idea then why not consider this pristine pair. Its OrthoLite footbed is aimed at being kind to your back. Prancing down the aisle in them will be as easy as when you said 'I do'. Available at Camper. 6. ONITSUKA TIGER DELEGATION EX, S$230 Can't give up your sneakers even on your wedding day? Then consider this pair that cleverly marries vintage styling (checks the box for "something old") with contemporary platform construction (checks the box for "something new"). Available at Onitsuka Tiger. 7. BIRKENSTOCK GIZEH FLOWER EMBELLISHMENT, S$249 Did someone say 'garden party'? The leather flower appliques on this pair are in full bloom. They also come in a soft blush colourway if you prefer a hit of colour. Available at Birkenstock. 8. FERRAGAMO BALLET FLAT WITH ANKLE RIBBON, S$980 Ballerina core never stops giving. The pretty silk ankle ribbons will make for just the right dose of drama for wedding dresses with short hemlines. Ferragamo's special Sacchetto shoe construction ensures a glove-like fit that will justify its luxury price tag. Available at Ferragamo. 9. DIOR DIORIVIERA DIOR GRANVILLE ESPADRILLE, S$1,050 Designer espadrilles and destination weddings go hand in hand. Part of the Dioriviera capsule, this handmade pair gives holiday vibes. Particularly, the slightly superstitious among us will love the star on the sole that founder Christian Dior believes adds a bit of luck to its wearer. 10. CHANEL BALLET FLATS IN COTTON TWEED AND GROSGRAIN, S$1,550 Actress Keira Knightley wore her haute couture wedding gown with these ballet flats. With or without a bespoke dress, there's no stopping a blushing bride from the cutest shoes money can buy. This seriously good looking tweed pair brings just the right amount of designer to a basic pair of flats. Wear it down the aisle, at the dinner reception, on your honeymoon and even to the office after your wedding leave, this is your all-occasion bet. Available at Chanel. 11. JIMMY CHOO LOVE FLAT, S$1,725 How can any would-be bride not love these Love flats? Partaking in low key drama – what with the sexy point-toe shape, sheer mesh and sparkling crystals, these made-in-Italy shoes are made for peeking out of a dramatic wedding dress or even a sleek pants suit. Available at Jimmy Choo. 12. MAISON MARGIELA TABI ANKLE BOOTS, S$2,160
Daily Mail
14-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Fury over John Lewis plans to build hundreds of new flats in their town: Locals say they are 'already overwhelmed with plush new tower blocks and gridlocked streets'
Furious residents have criticised John Lewis 's plans to build hundreds of new flats in their town, insisting they are 'already overwhelmed with plush new tower blocks and gridlocked streets'. Locals in the commuter town of Reading, Berkshire, have hit back at the retail giant's latest proposal to turn a former distribution warehouse located in the heart of the town centre into high-quality rental homes. While they had initially submitted a planning application for 215 homes at a cost of £80million, these have since been scaled back to 170 dwellings in an eight-storey-high apartment block. If approved, the flats are set to be located opposite the large Oracle shopping centre nearby the train station. Offering a quick service to London, it acts as the third busiest station in the south east of England. But the controversial build has prompted concerns amongst locals who argue that an influx of new residents will put pressure on local amenities, including doctor's surgeries, dentists and schools. Lucy Marti, 44, who has lived locally for 20 years, told MailOnline that she fears the town will be unable to cope with the new flats, arguing that the number of new-builds is 'getting out of hand'. Stating that she believes Reading is 'becoming a town of residential developments and barely anything else', she added: 'It's crazy because we are now lacking good retailers, and restaurants are going, and yet we've got a gazillion flats that are on the market and aren't selling. 'The schools, the GP's, the dentists are just not going to be able to cope. You only have to go on Rightmove to see how many flats there are to rent in the town and round every corner you see a new block going up so we just don't need any more. Lucy Marti (pictured), 44, who has lived locally for 20 years, told MailOnline that she fears the town will be unable to cope with the new flats, arguing that the number of new-builds is 'getting out of hand' 'I think we have got to over-saturation now and useful services are disappearing. It's going to be a town of flats and houses. It's a real shame there are things the town needs and flats isn't one of them.' Meanwhile, Marion Walsh, who also resides in Reading, described the proposed new development as 'mad', adding: 'Wherever you look now, its flats. It never use to be like that, that's all you hear about now'. Sarah Reseigh, who lives nearby to the site of the proposed new development, insisted that an increase in residents would merely worsen the already 'nightmare' parking situation. Adding that the once 'bustling' town of more than 174,000 people had now become 'dead', with many shops forced to close, Ms Reseigh said: 'It seems like every time they are building something it's not new amenities, it's flats, so there are just far too many people living in a small space and there are no new facilities. 'Trying to find anywhere to park during the day is a nightmare. It would be nice to see some better facilities coming as a pose to piling more people in. 'I appreciate there is a lot of money to be made in rent but you need to attract the people here as well because it's making people leave.' Nearby resident Tomas Iski said he was already concerned about the significant degree of noise pollution and local traffic, believing that this would only worsen with more people moving into the area. Ms Reseigh argued that the once 'bustling' town of Reading, with a population of more than 174,000 people, had now become 'dead', with many shops forced to close Tomas Iski said he was already concerned about the significant degree of noise pollution and local traffic, believing that this would only get worse with more people moving into the area. He also added that he 'does not think it's necessary to build more flats' He also added that he 'does not think it's necessary to build more flats there as they are already building flats at other locations in the town.' Mr Iski's fears were also echoed by 58-year-old Tracey Foster, who said that she was 'worried that there would be more traffic' and that the construction will have impacts on 'all the amenities'. Susan James, who also lives nearby, said that the ensuing 'nightmare' of trying to get a GP appointment would only be intensified if a vast number of new residents were to move into the already over-populate town. She added: 'The GP's are already a nightmare to get an appointment now anyway and if more people move in it is only going to get worse.' John Lewis's decision to scale back their initial plans come after NHS officials recently warned that the plans risked overwhelming local GP surgeries. The health service's stark opposition was outlined in a letter to local planning officials, which said: 'None of the GP practices in the local area would have the capacity to accommodate new patients generated from the proposed development.' The Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB), the NHS' body responsible for running local hospital trusts, insisted that nearby GP practices were already existing at a state of over capacity. The public body added that while it had secured a site for a new healthcare facility near to the development, it required an extra £185,000 in order to open the site. Discussions remain ongoing between John Lewis and officials to potentially obtain this funding. The housing project is one of three being pursued by John Lewis Partnership (JLP). It has received planning permission to transform a Waitrose site in Bromley, south London into 353 flats and for creating 428 homes in West Ealing. A decision regarding the construction is expected from the planning committee later this year. If approved, building could start as early as January next year, with the first residents moving in by 2028. A spokesperson for JLP previously said: 'Our priority is ensuring our proposals directly support the local community.' A Reading Council spokesperson said: 'The clear route for this type of contribution is through Section 106 (S106) legal agreements, which require a developer to make a contribution towards mitigating an increase in demand for a service that would come from occupiers in their development. 'The Council is regularly lobbied on the topic of local healthcare facilities and there are very recent examples of applications which require an obligation for NHS contributions locally through 106. 'For example, a recent development on the former Reading golf course saw a £550,000 contribution paid towards local healthcare, and the S106 planning agreement for the Broad Street Mall development in the town centre seeks a contribution of £450,000 in healthcare contributions to help to provide for a GP surgery within the existing Broad Street Mall. 'Taken together, the two contributions total £1 million towards local healthcare services. 'In this instance, we are aware of the request from NHS and are working with the applicant to achieve the right outcome for Reading and its residents, which may include additional funding to help meet identified public health needs in the area Katherine Russell, Director of Build-To-Rent for the JLP, said: 'We've been proud to be part of the Reading community for over 50 years, so it's very important to us that we deliver the best possible scheme and one that benefits the community. 'If these plans are approved, we will create much-needed high-quality rental homes, a green, community space for the people of Reading and local jobs. We thank Reading Borough Council and local community groups for their input.' A spokesperson for the partnership said: 'Having been a committed part of the Reading community for 50 years, our priority is ensuring our proposals directly support the local community. 'As part of our discussions with the council we will agree the payment which councils normally receive from developments to fund local services and infrastructure. 'We are in ongoing discussions with the council about this and welcome all feedback.'
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Glasgow housing association has this plan for city centre listed building
Empty upper floors of a listed building in St Enoch Square are set to be turned into 28 flats by a housing association. Glasgow City Council has received an application to revamp two buildings: a B-listed former bank at 34-36 St Enoch Square and a property at 26-30 St Enoch Square. A private developer previously secured permission for 26 flats on the site in 2021, but the scheme did not come to fruition. The housing association announced it had purchased the buildings in a multi-million pound deal last year. Plans state it is 'understood to be the first such application by a registered social landlord that supports Glasgow City Council's strategy to double the residential population of the city centre by 2035'. Flats will be available for mid-market rent which is available to households on low to moderate incomes, and are usually cheaper than private rent but more expensive than social housing. READ NEXT: This Glasgow estate is 'an island' with no shops, post box or decent bus service READ NEXT: 'We apologise': Latest on Glasgow City Council's cyber attack The plans, submitted by MAST Architects on behalf of the housing association, state the 'floorplates, formerly in mixed business and commercial uses, were previously combined, and are communally accessed by the entrance doorway to 34 St Enoch Square'. 'The upper floors, historically in use as mixed office and commercial premises by a range of occupants, are now vacant and have been stripped back to a structural shell by the site's previous owners,' the application adds. 'We believe that it is not sustainable for the building to continue in its current configuration – while the building is being maintained and kept secure by the owner, these empty areas represent a risk to the integrity of the overall building. 'It is neither economically or environmentally sustainable to expect the building's owner to continue this as a long term strategy for the care and maintenance of the building. 'The buildings urgently require a viable end use and returned to occupation to ensure that they can be protected and conserved.' External works to the properties would include window replacements, stone repairs and replacement/repair of roof coverings. Retail units on the ground floor are under separate ownership. In March last year, the housing association said it had bought the B-listed Station House for conversion to affordable housing. Which consists of two Victorian blocks and was originally built in the 19th century as headquarters for the Glasgow and South Western Railway Company. At the time, Andrew Kubski, director of development and asset management at WSHA, said the association was thrilled to have acquired the building for its first conversion project. 'We are looking at developing the site into mid-market rent properties which will provide new affordable housing options for residents,' he added. 'We have been supported in this purchase by the city council through the affordable housing supply programme and are delighted to play a part in the council's strategy to bring people back into Glasgow city centre to ensure the sustainability of the city for the future.' These flats would be the association's first mid-market rental properties in the city centre, it said. It has over 140 MMR properties in Dundashill and Dalmarnock.
