Agenda item

9 no New Dwellings built over 2 storeys over existing roof of Unit 2

Members considered an application for the construction of 9 two bedroom apartments over the existing roof of Unit 2 of Millsborough House.

Officers took the Members through the plans and photographs in the Presentations Pack and described the location and setting of the proposed development in relation to wider site of Millsborough House and the surrounding street scene.

It was noted that the roof line of the proposed apartments would be higher than the existing roof line of the adjoining Unit 1 and this feature would be overly dominant.

Whilst the principle of development in this part of Redditch was supported, the design was felt to be unsuitable and inappropriate in the context of the architectural and historical importance of the building which was classed as a building of historical interest by Redditch Borough Council in 2009.  Members were referred to the comments of the Conservation Officer who objected to the application as set out on pages 67 and 68 of the agenda.

Officers had concluded that the proposed addition applied for would detract from the architectural interest of the building and would be contrary to Policy 37 of the Borough of Redditch Local Plan (Historic Buildings and Structures).  As such the application was recommended for refusal.

At the invitation of the Chair the architect for the applicant, Mr Henry Morris addressed the committee in support of the application.

In responding to questions from Members officers clarified a number of points including that :-

·       The difference in roof height between existing Unit 1 and proposed Unit 2 would be significant.

·       The existing saw tooth roof design of Unit 2 regarded as having historical significance would be entirely removed as part of the proposed works and the new residential units added would have a flat roof.

·       Other development works had already been approved at the site and were in the process of being implemented including the conversion of the existing Unit 2 into residential units.

In debating the application Members referred to the historical context of the building and the desirability for conversions of industrial buildings to residential use to be carried out sympathetically and using designs which enabled heritage features to be retained.  Whilst it was noted that there was a tension between the need to provide regeneration and new housing, and the importance of retaining buildings of historical significance, overall Members were of the view that the plans before them were not suitable and did not blend in with or enhance the original structure.

RESOLVED that

Having regard to the development plan and to all other material considerations, planning permission be REFUSED for the following reason:

The proposed development by reason of scale, appearance and design would fail to conserve or enhance the character of the building, its setting and features of special architectural and historical interest, harming the character and significance of the building.  The extensions would be incongruous and dominant with the proposals being contrary to Policies 37, 39 ad 40 of the Borough of Redditch Local Plan No.4  and the provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework.

[Councillor Imran Altaf declared an interest in relation to this agenda item in that he had called the application in as Ward Councillor and had previously expressed views in relation to the application.  Councillor Altaf left the meeting prior to the commencement of this agenda item and played no part in the debate or the vote.]