Agenda item - BH2012/03464 - Land to rear of 1-2 Victoria Terrace, Kingsway & Spa Court, Kings Esplanade, Hove - Removal or Variation of Conditon

Application for variation of condition 2 of application BH2011/03375, (Refurbishment of building including replacement of existing roof with new copper roof and rooflights, external rendering and construction of boat store adjacent to entrance ramp) to permit revisions to approved drawings to relocate memorial cross and enlargement of canoe store.

Recommendation – GRANT

Application for variation of condition 2 of application BH2011/03375, (Refurbishment of building including replacement of existing roof with new copper roof and rooflights, external rendering and construction of boat store adjacent to entrance ramp) to permit revisions to approved drawings to relocate memorial cross and enlargement of canoe store.

(1)                   It was noted that this site had formed the subject of a site visit prior to the meeting.

(2)                   The Area Planning Manager introduced the application and gave a presentation by reference to plans, photographs and elevational drawings. Two points of verbal update were also provided such that Condition 1 had been removed to reflect that the development had commenced, and Condition 5 five in relation to transmission of sound had been replaced. The site formed part of a private car park and the building had formerly been used as an artist’s studio. Permission had already been granted in early 2012 for a music studio and an ancillary use as a canoe store. The building stopped at a point that would protect the memorial cross in situ at the site. Since the approval the need to provide plant and other technology had impacted on the size of the canoe store and the application sought a variation to allow it to be enlarged. The memorial cross would be relocated within a ‘bungaroosh’ wall and recessed to protect it; the memorial cross was currently surrounded by red brick that was not considered to be original, and the applicant had agreed to do restorative work to the cross. A method statement from an archaeologist had also been submitted on how to treat and relocate the memorial cross. A condition would be attached such that the enlargement of the canoe store could not be undertaken until the memorial cross was relocated. The memorial cross was not listed or protected. The application was recommended for approval for the reasons set out in the report.

Questions for Officers, Debate and Decision Making Process

(3)                   In response to Councillor Carol Theobald it was confirmed that comments that the memorial cross related to a burial site were speculative, and there was no evidence to support this.

(4)                   Councillor Bowden asked if a condition could be attached requesting some additional information on a plaque be placed with the cross; Officers confirmed that an appropriate informative could be added to this extent.

(5)                   A vote was taken and planning permission was granted on a vote of 11 to 1.

168.7    RESOLVED – That the Committee has taken into consideration and agrees with the reasons for the recommendation, and the policies and guidance set out in the report and resolves to GRANT planning permission subject: to the Conditions and Informatives in the report; the removal of Condition 1; the amended Condition 5 set out below and the Informative set out below.

Amend Condition 5 to read:

The plant and rooftop grilles hereby approved shall be implemented in accordance with the details approved under application BH2013/00020 on 1^st March 2013, including the approved means of treating the plant against the transmission of sound.

Reason: To safeguard the amenities of the occupiers of adjoining properties and to comply with policies SU10 and QD27 of the Brighton & Hove Local Plan.

Additional Informative 3:

In recognition of its historical importance, the applicant is requested to fix a plaque in an appropriate location explaining the brief history and purpose of the memorial cross and its relevance to the site.