Ex-MP's office set to be turned into flats

Plans to turn the offices of the former Wellingborough MP Peter Bone into flats have been given the green light.

North Northamptonshire Council has approved proposals to transform the three-storey listed building at 21 High Street, Wellingborough, into six, one-bedroom apartments.

Two flats are also planned in a new development behind the building.

Conservative Mr Bone was ousted in December after an investigation by parliament’s behaviour watchdog.

Mr Bone was suspended from the House of Commons for six weeks following an inquiry into his behaviour in 2023.

The Independent Expert Panel found he had broken sexual misconduct rules by indecently exposing himself to a staff member during an overseas trip.

It also upheld five allegations of bullying, including verbally belittling, physically striking and throwing things at the staff member.

The alleged victim told the BBC "physical, emotional and psychological abuse" by the MP left him a "broken shell of the young man I once was".

Mr Bone has denied the allegations and returned to the Commons after his suspension.

Labour took the Wellingborough seat in February in a parliamentary by-election triggered by a recall petition for Mr Bone.

Gen Kitchen overturned the Conservatives' 18,540 majority in 2019 by winning with a majority of 6,436.

The Grade II listed building lies in the Wellingborough Town Centre Conservation Area.

It was one of two buildings used as an office by Mr Bone during his time as an MP.

The council received two objections to plans from people who raised accessibility, maintenance, privacy and noise disturbance concerns.

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