Cheshire West and Chester Council Planning: Refurbishment work to neglected building granted

INTERNAL REFURBISHMENT: King Street, Chester (Image: Google Street View)

Written by David Norbury

King Street, Chester

Refurbishment was proposed to a grade ll listed building in Cheshire West and Chester believed to date back to around 1680.

The work was submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council at 7 King Street, Chester by Dr Adrian Pearson.

Dr Pearson told planning officers the internal refurbishment, amongst other aspects, would convert the ground floor back to residential and the first and second floors and the attic to independent accommodation.

The original Georgian townhouse was converted to two dwellings around 1720, according to a report. The refurbishment would provide a new lease of life to the 'neglected, unloved and empty property', returning it in its entirety to residential whilst providing the owners with appropriate accommodation and the ability to earn income from renting rooms to Chester’s growing tourist trade.

King Street is a renowned Georgian and Victorian cobbled, residential street within Chester’s historic walls and the Chester City Conservation Area planning officers explained. The basement level was last used as an engravers' workshop but this trade ceased many years ago and has remained vacant while the building is in a poor state of repair.

Listed building consent was being sought for work required to enable the creation of three separate residential units within the property. A Heritage Impact Assessment had been submitted which detailed the historical features of significance and the council's Conservation and Design Team had no objection.

Neighbours who were notified raised a number of objections including lack of parking and concern over the proposed sub—division of a family house and use for short-term lets. King Street Area Resident’s Association also objected.

The council said that when considering applications for listed building consent it should have regard to the desirability of preserving features of special architectural or historic interest which the listed building possessed. The heritage assessment appeared to be well considered and the impact of the proposed works had been fully explored. Decorative wood panelling would be retained in the ground floor front room.

Restoring the currently vacant, neglected building and returning it to active use would enhance the character and appearance of the Conservation Area and improve the setting of other heritage assets along King Street.

Listed building consent was recommended subject to conditions and this was agreed by Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Shipgate Street, Chester

It was back to the future at a grade ll listed property in Cheshire West and Chester. Set within Chester's historic walls and the City Conservation Area the planning application was raised by applicant Mark Knight at 8 Shipgate Street.

Mr Knight told planning officers at Cheshire West and Chester Council he was looking to remove and replace the existing fireplace at the three storey Georgian town house. This required listed building consent.

Originally two cottages dating back to around 1800 the town house features English garden wall brown brick with a grey slate roof according to a listing. The house is said to be a heritage asset and the aim of the proposed work was to enhance its historic internal character and appearance.

Planning officers were told the proposal was to replace an existing modern fireplace with a more appropriate period style fireplace. The existing feature did not contribute to the historic value of the building and had a conflicting style and appearance.

The objective was to enhance the historical appearance of the property's internal features with a period style fireplace commonly found in buildings of that character. No structural work was involved and there would be no loss of the historic fabric of the building. The proposed alteration would be compatible with the preservation and maintenance of the listed property.

Cheshire West and Chester Council granted listed building consent subject to conditions.

Watergate Row South, Chester

The removal of a modern shop front was put forward at a historic grade l listed building in Cheshire West and Chester believed originally to date back to the 1300s. The application for listed building consent was made by Cheshire West and Chester Council at 45 Watergate Row South, Watergate Street, Chester.

The council said it was looking to remove the existing shop front and install a new shop front at row level to include repair and redecoration to a lath and plaster ceiling along a side passageway at Old Hall Place.

The vacant retail premises, at Row level, form part of a four storey building which is designated as a grade I listed building within the Chester City Conservation Area, according to a report. The most historically sensitive fabric is below the Row level with the building above Row level being extensively altered during the 19th and 20th century. The current shop front consists of a single pane of glass with a modern door.

Planning officers explained the application sought listed building consent to replace the existing shop front with a more sensitively designed feature which would befit the listed status of the building.

A redundant metal signboard would be removed and it was also proposed to repair and replace the ceiling along the Old Hall Place pedestrian passage through to the rear of Watergate Street adjacent to the property.

A Heritage, Design and Access Statement had been submitted in order to better understand the significance of the listed building, its setting and the impact the work would have on it. This concluded the proposal would preserve and enhance the special architectural and historic interest of the Rows, better revealing their significance by removing the modern shop front and replacing this with a more considered design.

The Conservation and Design Team had no objection as the work would enhance the grade I listed building. There would be a minimal loss of historic fabric by the unavoidable replacement of some of the lath and plaster ceiling which was beyond repair but there were no concerns over the loss of the modern shop front.

Recommending listed building consent should be granted planners said it was considered the proposal had demonstrated regard to the desirability of preserving the features of special architectural or historic interest which the grade I listed building possessed.

Listed building consent was granted.

Grey Friars, Chester

A minor alteration was put forward to a grade ll listed property in Cheshire West and Chester. Applicants Mr and Mrs Marks told planning officers Cheshire West and Chester Council they were hoping to create a new door as an additional means of access at 3 Grey Friars in Chester.

Listed building consent was sought for the work which would involve the removal of a ground floor window. The existing three storey building with a cellar is thought to have been constructed between 1745 and 1789 with some alteration having been made since that time.

Their agent, Abergele based Arch Haus, said the change would not alter the use of the existing dwelling. It would create a new means off access apart from the existing principal entrance which would be retained. The impact on the appearance of the house would be 'less than significant' and would not be seen from Grey Friars.

Cheshire West and Chester Council granted listed building consent subject to conditions intended to preserve the setting and special architectural and historical integrity of the listed building and the character and appearance of the Chester City Conservation Area.

Deva Terrace, Chester

No objections were raised by conservation officers to the prospect of a glazed pitched roof over a courtyard in a Cheshire West and Chester conservation area. The feature, along with other alterations including conservation roof lights, was proposed by applicants Mr and Mrs M Riddy at 3 Deva Terrace, Chester.

Mr and Mrs Riddy explained that apart from the courtyard roof the work would involve internal and external alterations, the removal of part of a wall and relocating an existing external door in addition to other changes.

The property forms part of a grade II listed building and is within the Boughton and the Meadows conservation area according to a report. Cheshire West and Chester Council's Conservation and Design team offered no objection to the proposal.

They believed that any harm to the significance of the building would be less than substantial due to the loss of only a small portion of historic fabric. However this would be mitigated due to the 'sensitive design' of the proposal.

Planning officers explained they had paid special regard to the desirability of preserving the building, its setting and any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possessed.

Listed building consent was recommended and this was agreed by Cheshire West and Chester Council.

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