Agenda item

Report No: DEV/WS/22/024

Planning application - a. single storey extension to north wing; b. alterations to garage and addition of garden/woodshed; c. provision of bicycle storage (following removal of shed); d. external window and door alterations; e. electric charging points; f. provision of call point on south pedestrian gate; g. gratings over window areas; h. associated landscaping; i. relocation of amenity space for west wing; j. installation of flue liners and cowls

Application for listed building consent - External alterations to include; a. single storey extension to north wing to include partial demolition of rear wall and window; b. external door and window alterations to include replacement and reinstatement of window and doors to rear elevation; c. provision of gratings to basement window areas; Internal alterations involving remodelling of internal layouts to include; demolition of staircase to main entrance hall to allow for large dining area; b. partial relocation of modified staircase from main entrance hall to new stairwell within existing laundry room; c. demolition of internal partition between existing bedroom one and two; d. provision of new attic staircase; e. upgrading of thermal elements to existing attic accommodation together with provision of shower room; f. upgrading of internal doors to half hour fire resistance; g. renewal of services to include electrics, heating and plumbing together with other modifications

(Councillors Mike Chester and Andrew Smith declared non-pecuniary interests in this item in light of the fact that they were members of the congregation of their Parish Churches which came under the St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocese as did the application site, they therefore asked that this be noted in the interests of transparency.

Councillor Peter Stevens also declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item in light of the fact that he had been invited to view the building in question prior to the scheduled site visit, he therefore asked that this also be noted in the interests of transparency.)

Planning application - a. single storey extension to north wing; b. alterations to garage and addition of garden/woodshed; c. provision of bicycle storage (following removal of shed); d. external window and door alterations; e. electric charging points; f. provision of call point on south pedestrian gate; g. gratings over window areas; h. associated landscaping; i. relocation of amenity space for west wing; j. installation of flue liners and cowls

Application for listed building consent - External alterations to include; a. single storey extension to north wing to include partial demolition of rear wall and window; b. external door and window alterations to include replacement and reinstatement of window and doors to rear elevation; c. provision of gratings to basement window areas; Internal alterations involving remodelling of internal layouts to include; demolition of staircase to main entrance hall to allow for large dining area; b. partial relocation of modified staircase from main entrance hall to new stairwell within existing laundry room; c. demolition of internal partition between existing bedroom one and two; d. provision of new attic staircase; e. upgrading of thermal elements to existing attic accommodation together with provision of shower room; f. upgrading of internal doors to half hour fire resistance; g. renewal of services to include electrics, heating and plumbing together with other modifications

These applications were referred to the Development Control Committee following consideration by the Delegation Panel.

Officers were recommending that the planning application be approved, subject to conditions as set out in Paragraph 93 of Report No DEV/WS/22/024.

However, Officers were also recommending that the application for Listed Building Consent be refused for the reason outlined in Paragraph 94 of the report. This recommendation was in conflict with the view of Bury St Edmunds Town Council who supported the proposal.

A Member site visit was held prior to the meeting, in addition, as part of her presentation the Planning Officer also showed videos of the interior of the site.

Speakers:    Dr Jackie Hall (St Edmundsbury Fabric Advisory Committee) spoke in support of the application

                   Councillor Robert Everitt (Adjacent Ward Member: Minden, speaking on behalf of the Ward Members for Abbeygate) spoke in support of the application

                   The Very Reverend Joe Hawes (applicant) spoke in support of the application

                   (Dr Hall was not in attendance to personally address the Committee and, instead, the Democratic Services Officer played a pre-recorded audio file on her behalf.)

In view of the two separate recommendations the Chair proposed that Members first consider the planning application and take a vote on that element prior to considering the Listed Building Consent.

Councillor Andy Drummond proposed that the planning application be approved, as per the Officer recommendation, and this was duly seconded by Councillor David Roach.

Upon being put to the vote and with 15 voting for the motion and with 1 abstention it was resolved that

Decision

Planning permission be GRANTED subject to the following conditions:

1. 001A Time Limit - Detailed

2. 14FP Approved Plans

3. Later Approved Details

Considerable discussion then took place on the application for Listed Building Consent. Whilst some Members recognised the significant weight that had to be attributed to the conservation concerns raised and Historic England’s objection, other Members highlighted the fact that the staircase was not an original feature.

The Council’s Senior Conservation Officer was in attendance and was invited by the Chair to further elaborate on her reasons for recommending refusal.

Councillor David Roach proposed that the application be approved, contrary to the Officer recommendation, as in his view the level of public benefit from the proposed works would outweigh the degree of harm caused due to the staircase not being an original feature. This was duly seconded by Councillor Andy Drummond.

The Service Manager (Planning – Development) advised the meeting that if Members were minded to approve the application, contrary to the Officer recommendation, then in light of the objections from statutory consultees and the Council’s statutory duties relating to listed buildings, the Decision Making Protocol would be invoked and a risk assessment would be produced for further consideration by the Committee at a future date.

Accordingly, upon being put to the vote and with 8 voting for the motion and 8 against, it was resolved on the Chair’s casting vote that

Decision

Members be MINDED TO APPROVE, CONTRARY TO THE OFFICER RECOMMENDATION, the application for Listed Building Consent as the level of public benefit from the proposed works would outweigh the degree of harm caused, due to the staircase not being an original feature.

(On conclusion of this item the Chair permitted a further short comfort break, during which Councillor Ian Houlder left the meeting at 2.09pm.)