Minutes:
39.1 Item 7B
Application DC/19/04892
Proposal Planning Application – Erection of 6 dwellings, partial demolition and conversion of New Hall to 1 dwelling including the change of use to commercial design studio/gallery (following demolition of the existing buildings with the exception of the façade of Victoria Hall fronting Prince Street)
Site Location SUDBURY – Victoria Hall/Conservative Club/New Hall, 39 and 41 Prince Street, Sudbury, CO10 1HZ
Applicant Rogerson Holdings Limited
39.1 The Area Planning Manager presented the application to the Committee outlining the proposal before Members, the layout and location of the site, the amendments to the proposal following the previous presentation to the Committee, and the officer recommendation of refusal.
39.2 The Area Planning Manager responded to questions from Members on issues including the responses from consultees, and the update to the structural report.
39.3 Members considered the representation from Simon Harris who spoke as an Objector.
39.4 The Objector responded to questions from Members on issues including preservation of the existing buildings, and the financial viability of the preservation.
39.5 Members considered the representation from Nick Peasland who spoke as the agent.
39.6 The agent responded to questions from Members on issues including: heritage assets, the structural condition of the existing buildings, the materials to be used, and the design of the proposed buildings.
39.7 Members considered the representation from Councillor Jan Osborne who spoke as Ward Member.
39.8 Following a question from Councillor Barrett, the agent provided clarification of the figures included in the report in respect of projected expenditure and income.
39.9 The Heritage and Design Officer responded to questions from members regarding heritage issues.
39.10 Councillor Barrett proposed that the application be approved.
39.11 Councillor Beer seconded the motion.
39.12 The Planning Lawyer advised the Proposer and Seconder that although the law does not generally require a committee to give reasons for an approval it would be wise to do so here, and that in doing so they should make clear how in their judgment the benefits of this proposal outweighed the harm.
39.13 The Strategic Projects and Delivery Manager outlined the Statutory duties of the Local Planning Authority regarding heritage.
39.14 Members debated the possible recommendations, conditions, impacts of harm and public benefits of the proposal.
39.15 A short break was taken from 14:47 until 15:00.
39.16 Upon restarting the meeting the Area Planning Manager read out the proposal as follows which the proposer and seconder agreed to:
- That Application DC/19/04892 be approved for the following reason:
Members have paid special attention with regard to their duties under the LB and CA Act (1990). Notwithstanding the harm due to the loss/ partial loss of the existing non designated heritage assets and the contaminant harm to the character and appearance of the designated asset that is the Conservation Area; the economic and social benefits, as well as the replacement of derelict buildings with newly-built ones (with the resultant visual improvements to the CA); overall this leads to the preservation of the character and appearance on the CA. The development therefore complies with local heritage policies and the NPPF. The Development complies with the development plan as a whole and there are no considerations that indicate otherwise.
And conditions as follows: phasing condition, sample panels, materials, detailing, hard surface and boundary treatment details, and gault brick for the conservative club facia from New St & method for retention of Victoria Hall façade.
39.17 By 10 votes to 1
39.18 RESOLVED
- That Application DC/19/04892 be approved for the following reason:
Members have paid special attention with regard to their duties under the LB and CA Act (1990). Notwithstanding the harm due to the loss/ partial loss of the existing non designated heritage assets and the contaminant harm to the character and appearance of the designated asset that is the Conservation Area; the economic and social benefits, as well as the replacement of derelict buildings with newly-built ones (with the resultant visual improvements to the CA); overall this leads to the preservation of the character and appearance on the CA. The development therefore complies with local heritage policies and the NPPF. The Development complies with the development plan as a whole and there are no considerations that indicate otherwise.
And conditions as follows: phasing condition, sample panels, materials, detailing, hard surface and boundary treatment details, and gault brick for the conservative club facia from New St & method for retention of Victoria Hall façade.
Supporting documents: