Plans to rebuild shop destroyed in fire refused

A proposal to rebuild a former cash-and-carry shop that was destroyed by fire has been refused by a city council.

A Dungarwalla submitted a development application to Peterborough City Council in September to reconstruct the former Europe Cash and Carry building on Padholme Road, which was destroyed in a blaze in December 2023.

Planning documents stated that the proposed rebuild would occupy the same footprint as the original structure and construction would comply with all statutory building regulations.

But the council's planning department refused the application this month, citing that the plans exceeded the limitations set out in the town and country planning order.

Following its decision, the council's planning team said: "Having considered the submitted information, it is considered that the proposed development would exceed the relevant limitations set out in the town and country planning order."

The refusal followed a previous application by Mr Dungarwalla to build three new homes on the site, which was withdrawn earlier this year after objections were raised by the council's highway authority and urban design officer.

At the time, urban design officer Khalifa Abubakar said: "The proposed construction of three new dwellings in this backland location is of a density that is seemingly incongruent with the site constraints.

"This has led to awkward design resolutions, that are not characteristic of good design."

The Padholme Road site has remained vacant since the fire.

Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.