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V26-609 : W1703/2 AND /3 - OLD SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND COTTAGES, NEWGATE/MANOR HO

LANE, BECCLES

Application for conversion of ground floor cottages and school to funeral parlour, associated offices and new car park, and Conservation Area Consent to demolish Co-op Store

The report of the Director of Planning and Building Control explained that the above applications had been held in abeyance at the request of the applicants since the meeting of the Rural Planning Sub-Committee in 1997 when they had been asked to investigate ways of achieving the desirable aim of a retail frontage to Smallgate. No progress had been made in this direction, however the applicants had asked for the application to be determined, with either of two frontage treatments being offered.

The Director outlined the two possible schemes, one of which would necessitate a small commuted maintenance payment. Both schemes would be inferior in townscape terms, and there would be grounds for refusal of the application on this basis. However, this would jeopardise the whole scheme, with its overall objectives of converting the old school buildings to a new use, and removing the existing Co-op building from Smallgate. Of the alternatives, Scheme A was considered the more acceptable. The Director gave a choice of three recommendations, being either refusal or approval of a modified Scheme A or Scheme B.

Members felt, however, that a large shop building would be a far better option to encourage trade to Smallgate, which had been a thriving street just a few years ago. They were therefore minded to refuse the application on grounds of appearance in the street scene.

RESOLVED

That planning permission and conservation area consent be refused to applications W1703/2 and W1703/3 respectively.


Volume 26 Minute 609

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