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18/1876/FUL - Hobson House, 42-44 St Andrews Street

Meeting: 17/06/2019 - Planning (Item 10)

10 18/1876/FUL - Hobson House, 42-44 St Andrews Street pdf icon PDF 200 KB

Minutes:

The Committee received an application for full planning permission.

 

The application sought approval for the change of use and refurbishment of the existing Grade II listed office building (use Class B1(a) Offices to a 57 bed boutique hotel (Use Class C1) and cafe/tea room (use Class A3), to include replacement of a glazed screen on the St Andrew's street facade, the upgrading of the thermal character of the glazed roof over the drill hall to create a central atrium, the removal of the existing northern wing to create two floors above, a second floor extension to the existing southern wing; together with partial demolition and replacement new-building at the rear and associated works.

 

The Chairman explained that he would exercise his discretion and consider agenda items 11 and 12 together however, would be voted on separately.  Public speakers would therefore have 6 minutes in which to address the Committee.

 

The presenting officer drew attention to the proposed amendments to the application set out within the amendment sheet circulated in advance of the meeting.

 

Mr Justin Bainton (Applicant’s Agent) addressed the Committee in support of the application.

 

A statement was read out on behalf of Councillor John Hipkin (Castle Ward Councillor) in support of the application which covered the following main areas:

 

i.     The proposed conversion was a fine example of how a listed building could be adapted for a different purpose without compromising its unique features.

ii.   The transport impact of the proposed development would be minimal as the hotel was a short taxi journey from the rail station and was located on major bus routes.

iii. There was a distinct need for high quality hotel accommodation in the city centre.

iv. The hotel would not serve regular restaurant food and would therefore support nearby cafés and restaurants. 

v.  The application would assist the Council in its aims to achieve more sustainable tourism for the city.

 

 

The Committee:

 

Unanimously resolved 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.