TRANSFORMING Trowbridge is pleading with Wiltshire Council to object to plans to convert The Pavilions on the White Horse Business Park into flats, amid fears it will ruin business.

A plan was submitted two weeks ago to convert the old Virgin building into 98 apartments, with 45 one-bed and 53 two-bed flats.

Private sector partnership Transforming Trowbridge says the move could be a disaster for the town.

Spokesman Jeff Ligo said if the council do not put a stop to the application, the county town's reputation as a home for major employment opportunities in Wiltshire could be lost.

He explained: "If it went ahead, it would be disastrous. The Pavilion represents the best investment for an empty space to create jobs for the town.

“We have identified that it is one of the major investment opportunities in the town.I am trying to do some work with the call centre industry to raise awareness with them about the building and its uses.“

It is early days but I am sure that by working hard we will be able to find some takers.”

When the government passed legislation to make it not necessary for planning applications to be submitted when converting empty business units into residential accommodation, Wiltshire Council applied for business parks, such as White Horse, to be exempt but were declined – meaning they could have to compensate a developer if they then refuse them planning permission.

Known as permitted development rights, the change means many councils remain helpless in declining the application unless they pass an Article 4 Direction which prevents the conversion.

The downside to which could result in Wiltshire Council having to fork out compensation to the applicants because their permitted development rights have been taken away.

Mr Ligo believes this is a risk Wiltshire Council should take and added Transforming Trowbridge believe that if given the green light, national companies who are already in the park will be inclined to move out or other empty office buildings could be turned into housing developments.

“Our view is that the council need to be brave enough to make the Article 4 Direction to protect one of Wiltshire’s business parks being turned into a housing development,” he added.

The scheme has been submitted by Three Pavilions Ltd, which did not want to speak to the Wiltshire Times.

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “This application is currently in the consultation period. At this moment, no decision has been made to serve an Article 4 but it remains an option”.

Residents and fellow business owners have until April 12 to comment on the plans which can be found on the Wiltshire Council website using the reference 16/02602/PNCOU.