Plans to demolish an engineering workshop in the town centre and replace it with a row of terraced houses have been approved.
Ladyfield Development have been granted permission to demolish an end of terrace two storey workshop on Ladyfield Street, which is a predominantly residential area.
The engineering workshop, which is currently used by a steel fabrication business, will be replaced with three terraced houses and six parking spaces.
Built Heritage objected to the plans on the basis of 'loss of historic fabric and inappropriate design'.
Emma Fairhurst, Senior Design and Conservation Officer at Cheshire East Council said "I have reviewed the comments made by archaeology and I agree there is some heritage value to the building, Ladyfield Works. The immediate area is typical modest terraced houses with little in the way of ornamentation leaving a very traditional appearance. The buildings in this area are typically late 19th century, the demolition of the building makes no sense as it clearly has historical value and would be easy to convert sensitively into accommodation."
She added "The proposed replacement would be incongruous in the street scene and would not be in keeping with the street scene either to Bollin Walk or Ladyfield Street, where minimal fenestration to existing houses is present, traditional rooflines and chimneys, no dormers are present, no balconies. The multiple windows to Lady street would present over emphasis of fenestration. Taken as a whole the proposed replacement will not be appropriate in this location."
Wilmslow Town Council had no objection to the plans though 8 letters of objection were received. Issued raised included concerns over works to party wall adjoining neighbouring dwelling, loss of light and loss of privacy from raised balcony, design not in keeping with character of the area and existing building does not need to be demolished.
The Case Officer recommended the plans for approval, emphasising the fact that the Council cannot currently demonstrate a five year housing supply which means that paragraphs 49 and 14 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) are relevant.
The Officer said "Paragraph 14 of the NPPF states that for decision-taking this means, 'where the development plan is absent, silent or relevant policies are out-of-date, granting permission unless any adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in this Framework taken as a whole'.
"The application site sits within a predominantly residential area. The proposal, when considered with regards to the Council's housing land position, is therefore considered acceptable in principle.
"The application site is not within a Conservation Area and the existing building is not Listed, however the building is considered to be a non-designated heritage asset therefore paragraph 135 of the NPPF applies. An objection to the demolition of the building from the Conservation Officer is noted, however as the existing building has no formal protections, and with regard to current 5 year housing land supply, the significance of the heritage asset is afforded little weight and its demolition is therefore not considered sufficient grounds for refusal of the application."
Comments
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perhaps the government should offer the construction industry incentives to refurbish. Current policy dictates it is much more economical to demolish rather than rebuild.