Case Study : 9 homes, 22 letting rooms

CHALLENGES

This was a large scale regeneration and development of a brownfield site which centred on a Grade II listed pub.

Our client was keen that the pub, although it had struggled to remain viable, be retained and therefore its business activities needed to be diversified.

We also had to negotiate a recently adopted Local Plan which designated the village as a ‘R1 Rural Settlement’.

Due to the site’s close proximity to the A37, there was concern about the impact of noise from the road.

SOLUTION

In light of our client's wish to retain the pub use, we worked closely with the architect firm Buchanan Partnership on a multifaceted scheme to include; the construction of a new building to provide visitor accommodation; the erection of new family dwellings; the conversion of an outbuilding and the provision of new car parking areas. Any proposed development had to also be carefully assessed to ensure it would not negatively impact on the Grade II status of the public house and another listed building nearby.

We presented a detailed planning statement which justifed how the proposed development met with guidance on sustainable development at national level as outlined in the NPPF, whilst complimenting local policy in terms of scale and design, ensuring the scheme would blend well with the existing vernacular.

We ran several public consultation events and integrated relevant feedback into the emerging plans. Highway safety issues were satisfactorily resolved and the scheme passed the ‘Three Tests’ set out in the Habitat Regulations.

A Section 106 was also completed to allow for financial contributions towards highway works, education facilities and allotments.

We were delighted with Bath and North East Somerset Council's conclusion that:

The proposed development is considered to be an acceptable mixed use scheme providing housing and employment on a brownfield site as well as bringing a public house back into use. The impact on the Listed building is considered to cause less than substantial harm and the setting is considered to be improved.

The scheme was unanimously supported by councillors at the committee meeting.

TEMPLE INN (9 HOMES AND 22 LETTING ROOMS)