Agenda item

The Service Director, Planning and Policy submits a report on planning applications received for consideration by the Panel.

A) SPA BUILDING, QUEEN STREET

Planning Application 20070933, Conservation Area Consent 20070934

Demolition, redevelopment

 

The Director said that the application was for the demolition of the existing buildings and redevelopments of the site with a four to nine story block of 87 flats with bar, restaurant and shops.

 

The Panel reiterated their previous views, which were that this is a fine quality building at the vernacular end of the architectural scale and that in this area so full of big buildings, these smaller buildings add drama to the street scene with the dramatic drop in scale and should be preserved.It was recommended that the whole building should be retained. It was further suggested that with all the flats already in the area a more diverse use such as workshops would be welcomed. The Panel urged that the building be properly marketed in order to find a suitable re-use, commenting on the proposed new build, the Panel thought that it did not reflect the character of St Georges Conservation area in design, materials or height.

 

B) 21 CAREYS CLOSE

Planning Application 20070954

New development

 

The Director said that the application was for a demolition of the existing factory and the redevelopment of the site with a seven-storey building for student accommodation with ground floor retail units. This was considered by the Panel last September. Following comments by the Panel the application was refused. This is a revised scheme, which lowers the rear by a storey and pulls back the top storey from Peacock Lane.

 

The Panel were pleased that the building had been reduced in height but were still unhappy with the design. It was thought that the proposed building did not exploit this prominent corner site and the corner treatment in particular was bland. The Panel also thought that the fenestration could be improved by drawing on elements from the adjacent building.

 

C) 157-159 GRANBY STREET, CALAIS HILL

Planning Application 20071056

Change of use to flats, rear extension and new build adjacent

 

The Director said that the application was for the change of use of the ground floor of the public house to shops and the conversion and extension of the remaining parts to create seven flats. A five-storey block of eight flats was also proposed to the rear, facing onto Calais Hill, which is outside the conservation area boundary.

 

The Panel were generally happy with this proposal but thought that the rear extension could be improved with larger windows which would improve the look of the building and make it a better place to live in. It was also thought the conversion would be a good time to reinstate a better ground floor shopfront. The Panel also considered that the proposed new build would not impact on the character of the adjacent conservation area.

 

D) FIVEWAYS HOUSE (FORMER THREADS FACTORY), TUDOR ROAD

Listed Building Consent 20070730

Partial demolition, internal and external alterations

 

The Director noted that Members made observations on the conversion of this building to flats a few years ago. The Director said that the application was for amendments to that proposal including the demolition and rebuilding of a later addition, alterations to the car parking area and removal of the remainder of the north lights.

 

The Panel were adamant that the north lights (ribbon of glazing) should be retained. It was a principle characteristic of historic industrial buildings and there are not many surviving examples left. It was also thought that the demolition of the end section of the building created a wonderful opportunity for an imaginative modern building rather than the pastiche rebuild proposed.

 

E) 114 REGENT ROAD

Pre-application enquiry

Ramp, alterations to porch

 

The Director said this was a pre-application enquiry for a disabled access ramp to the main entrance. The proposal would involve modifications to the entrance porch.

 

The Panel were supportive of the need for disabled persons access and therefore asked Officers to instruct the applicant to submit a formal planning application based on the retention of the porch (in rebuilt form) and the ornamental flooring.

 

F) 152 UPPER NEW WALK

Pre-application enquiry

Chair lift, disabled toilet

 

The Director said this was a pre-application enquiry for a chair lift to the rear of the building. The proposal would involve the removal of a rear window to create an access door from the lift. The proposal would also involve the conversion of one of the rear outbuildings into a disabled toilet.

 

The Panel were supportive of the need for disabled persons access and therefore asked officers to instruct the applicant to submit a formal planning application based on the retention of the side door & steps.

 

G) 56 LONDON ROAD

Advertisement Consent 20070786

Internally illuminated fascia sign

 

The Director said the application was for the retention of an internally illuminated fascia sign that wrapped around the front and side elevation of the building.

 

The Panel raised an objection to this unauthorised advertisement and recommended refusal and enforcement action for its removal. Any signage should be confined within the existing architecture and not obscure architectural details. It should also respect the individual units.

 

H) 43 SILVER STREET, THE GLOBE PH

Planning Application 20070781

Canopy

 

The Director said that the application was for a canopy to the elevation on Carts Lane.

 

The Panel objected to the canopy and its proposed use as a smoker’s terrace.  A more modest canopy following the profile of the arched opening may be acceptable. The existing sign should be retained.

 

I) 12-14 HOTEL STREET, MOLLY O’GRADY’S PH

Planning Application 20070848 & Listed Building Consent 20070850

Canopy at front

 

The Director said that the application was for a canopy to the Market Place elevation.

 

The Panel objected to the canopy in principle and the use of the street as a smoker’s terrace.

 

J) EXCHANGE BUILDING, RUTLAND STREET

Pre-application enquiry

Canopy/projecting sign

 

The Director said the application was a pre-application enquiry for a canopy or projecting sign.

 

The Panel thought there was no scope for a canopy but a tasteful projecting sign might be acceptable.

 

K) 27 MARKET STREET & 28 POCKLINGTONS WALK

Advertisement Consent 20070864

Signs & canopies

 

The Director said that this was a retrospective application for new signage to change the name of the pub from the Hogs Head to the Slug and Lettuce. The proposal also involved new canopies.

 

The Panel raised concerns that once again they were making observations on a retrospective application. However the Panel were happy with the new signage but would prefer the canopies on the Market Street elevation rather than Pocklingtons Walk, which it was thought, had too narrow a pavement to accommodate them.

 

L) 12-14 EASTGATES FORMER COFFEE HOUSE

Advertisement Consent 20070783

New signs

 

The Director said the application was for new signage to the front and side elevations.

 

The Panel thought that too much signage was proposed. It was felt that there was no reason for the non-illuminated fascia sign on the Eastgates elevation and the projecting sign closest to the main entrance on Church Gate should also be omitted. The Eastgates projecting sign should be brought down in line with the other projecting sign on Church Gate and the sign at the entrance should either be removed or set back into the doorway more.

 

M) 2-4 COLTON STREET

Planning Application 20070948

Banner sign

 

The Director said the application was for a banner sign to the front elevation of the building.

 

The Panel pointed out that this was the most sensitive location for a sign next to the main decorative doorway and close to the adjacent listed building. It was recommended that it should be placed in a less sensitive location and reduced in height to fit within existing architectural details.

 

N) 21 CENTRAL AVENUE

Planning Application 20070868

Demolition, extension

 

The Director said the application was for the demolition of the existing garage and erection of a single storey extension to provide a new garage to the side and store to the rear of the dwellinghouse.

 

The Panel objected to this proposal. The Panel recognised the quality of this side elevation and did not wish to see it destroyed by this extension. There were no objections to an extension at the rear and it was suggested that the existing garage be retained and extended instead.

 

O) ST JOHNS SCHOOL, EAST AVENUE

Planning Application 20070823

Extension to school

 

The Director said the application was for an extension to the existing school and resurfacing of part of the grounds.

 

The Panel raised no objections to this proposal but stated that materials should match the existing ones.

 

P) 4 CLARENDON PARK ROAD

Planning Application 20070859

Change of use to 9 flats and extension

 

The Director said the application was for the change of use of the care home to nine self-contained flats. The proposal involves a two storey rear extension

 

The Panel raised no objections to this proposal but stated that careful matching of the materials was required.

 

Q) BISHOP STREET REFERENCE LIBRARY

Planning Application 20070931 & Listed Building Consent 20070932

Internal alterations, lift shaft

 

The Director said that the Panel had made observations on a proposed lift shaft and internal alterations last year. This was a revised scheme

 

The Panel were happy with the principle of the proposal subject to suitable materials being used and possibly widening the shaft.

 

R) 56 DANESHILL ROAD

Planning Application 20070250

External alterations, fence

 

The Director said the application was for a revision to the boundary fence in line with the Panel’s previous comments and the retention of stucco to the rear outbuilding.

 

The Panel were happy with the revised fence and other alterations. The rendering of the rear outbuilding was considered acceptable because it was not historic fabric but a later flat roof extension. It was however thought that the white paint was a bit bright and might benefit from a more muted colour. As a general policy the painting of the rear outriggers or other original historic fabric should be avoided.

 

T) 83 LONDON ROAD

Planning Application 20070984

Shopfront

 

The Director said that the application was for a new shopfront

 

The Panel considered the existing shopfront to have some character and the proposal would sanitise this by removing the recessed entrances. There were no objections to the renewal of the shopfront but it should reflect the existing character.

 

The Panel raised no objections to the following, they were therefore not formally considered:

 

S) 159 LONDON ROAD

Planning Application 20070961

Change of use to offices

 

U) 96-98,62-64,27-29 & 49-51 HIGH STREET

Planning Applications 20070922, 0921,0915 & 0916

Freestanding signs in street

 

V) 33 RUTLAND STREET

Planning Application 20070993

Floodlighting to main elevation

 

W) WESTBRIDGE PLACE

Planning Application 20070860

Erection of a cycle shelter

 

X) 35 HIGHFIELD STREET, FLAT A

Planning Application 20070908

Extension

 

Y) 132 WESTCOTES DRIVE

Planning Application 20070945

Demolition of outbuildings & new door to rear

 

Z) 172 ST SAVIOURS ROAD

Planning Application 20070813

Replacement windows

 

AA) 22 WEST AVENUE

Planning Application 20070844

Rear extension