Plans to have four flats above High Street shop are rejected

It was proposed that the first, second and third floors of 32, High Street – an empty shop opposite Sure – be converted into one two-bed and three one-bed flats. This would require changes to the ground floor, the demolition of the rear wall, the construction of a three-storey extension and the installation of insulation.

The property is listed, which means that the special historic, architectural and traditional characteristics need to be preserved. In such cases there is a strong presumption against any work that involves demolishing any part of the building, though the idea of changing the use of upper levels of shops away from retail is seen as generally acceptable.

The applicant stated that rot to the timber-framed west wall of the building was a reason for it needing to be removed, but no structural issues were evident on site and no structural engineer’s report has been provided, planners said.

Planners felt that a similar residential scheme could be created, without losing the wall, which had high and medium value to the protected building. The scale, form and appearance of the proposed replacement extension would dominate the existing building, and would have an adverse impact on the protected building.

All the buildings in this part of the west side of the High Street are protected buildings, so the planners also needed to look at how this would impact them. 32, High Street still has staircases, fireplaces, a half-arch, architraves, skirtings, cupboards and doors. It was felt that internal relining would result in removal or concealment of many of these features, cumulatively amounting to an adverse effect on the special interest of the protected building.

Concerns were raised about the privacy of the proposed flats, and together the two issues led to the plans’ rejection.