Decision details

The Committee received an application for full planning permission.

The application sought approval for the change of use of St George House and Lion House from office (Class B1) to hotel (Class C1); relocation of nightclub (Sui Generis) in St George House to basement service yard in Lion Yard shopping centre (Class A1); relocation of the substation within the basement; associated alterations to the buildings including new windows, new entrance to the nightclub from the shopping centre, new goods lift for the hotel and cycle parking.

Councillor Thornburrow proposed an amendment to the Officer’s recommendation to add a condition requiring landscaping to the Heidelberg Gardens area of the site. Councillor Green seconded the proposal.

This amendment was carried unanimously.

The Committee:

Resolved (by 5 votes to 2 and 1 abstention) to grant the application for planning permission in accordance with the officer recommendation, for the reasons set out in the officer report, and subject to the conditions recommended by the officers and subject to the additional condition requiring landscaping to Heidelburg Gardens as below.

36. Prior to the occupation of the development, details of amelioration works to Heidelberg gardens, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The amelioration works shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details prior to the occupation of the development and shall thereafter be retained and maintained. The scheme should consider elements such as (but not limited to) climbing plants, street furniture, mural and a water feature.

Reason: to improve the outlook to the hotel rooms which look onto Heidelberg Gardens, to provide an attractive space for staff to use and to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the Conservation Area (Cambridge Local Plan 2018 policies 55, 56, 59 and 61).