A LANDMARK seven-storey office building in Broadheath is to be converted into flats - despite dozens of objections from neighbours and from a nearby school.

Roberts House, on Manchester Road, will be transformed to provide 91 one-bedroom apartments.

It was approved by planning chiefs, without the need for it to be considered by the full planning committee, despite the fact that there will only be 58 parking spaces, whereas under council guidelines 91 are required.

There were 55 letters of objection to the scheme, with parking and traffic issues a major concern.

Objectors claimed the proposal would add to on-street parking problems in the area and worsen congestion problems on the roads.

Those voicing concerns included nearby Navigation Primary School, which claimed it could put their pupils at risk.

A letter from the school said that "families walking or cycling to school already navigate through and cross over very busy and congested roads, and clearly a further influx of on-street parking will make this journey more dangerous.

"We are also concerned that this proposed development will lead to an increase in the volume of traffic on Harcourt Road and the neighbouring roads, particularly in the morning when children are coming to school."

But planning officers accepted a transport report on behalf of the applicant, Mandale Apartments 2, which refuted the traffic concerns.

This document, compiled by travel consultants TPS, concluded: "This transport statement has demonstrated that the proposals are likely to result in a significant reduction In vehicular trips on the local highway network and that any highways impact associated with the proposals can be suitably accommodated.

"It is, therefore, considered that there are no discernible highway reasons why the proposals should not be granted planning consent."

A planning report pointed out that the 91 parking spaces that the guidelines would require was a maximum standard.

Part of Roberts House has been used as offices for the Jobcentre for many years.