More top-of-the-range prestige homes could be built in Peterborough to meet the needs of high-earning professionals as the growing city seeks to attract new businesses.

Research by planning officers at Peterborough City Council shows the city and 25 adjacent villages have a lower proportion of large detached houses than neighbouring areas.

While weekly pay in Peterborough is higher than in immediately adjacent areas, many top-earners live outside the city's boundary and commute to work by road each day.

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Now officers are suggesting minor changes in the city council's planning guidelines to prevent the demolition of existing large homes and to encourage developers to build a proportion of larger 'prestige' properties on low density sites.

Councillor Graham Murphy, the city council's Cabinet Member for housing, regeneration and economic development, said: "Many terraced houses were built in Peterborough as part of the city's expansion in the 1970s and 1980s, resulting in a smaller proportion of larger detached properties than some nearby areas.

"As the city continues to grow we want to ensure that a full range of housing styles and sizes is available to meet the needs of people who work here."

If the report is accepted by the planning and environmental protection committee, officers will modify existing guidelines for final approval.

(CD/BMcC)