Agenda item

LISTED BUILDING CONSENT GRANTED

Description of application - Demolition of the former stable block and external steps (173 - 177 High Street), conversion and refurbishment of the former public house including an extension of a 9 storey building plus a basement to provide a 50-bed hotel with a gym, swimming pool and a retail unit (Class A1). Installation of 2 new shopfronts and formation of a new entrance with an associated access to the rear from Walters Yard (LISTED BUILDING CONSENT).

Oral representations in support of the application were received.  Oral representations from Ward Member, Councillors Will Harmer, Councillors Russell Mellor and Peter Morgan, as Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, in support of the application were received at the meeting. 

Councillor Harmer also spoke on behalf of his fellow Ward Member, Councillor Nicky Dykes.  He referred to the Grade II Listed Building’s long history and the site had been vacant for many years and in a prime location.  He said this was an exceptional application and one hundred and twenty local residents had written to support the proposed development.  Bromley Town centre lacked this type of venue which would be unique and he did not want to see the building fall back into disrepair. Councillor Harmer suggested that if permission were granted then a condition should be imposed to ensure both parts of the proposed development be opened at the same time.

Councillor Morgan’ s view was that this was the last opportunity to refurbish the Listed Building and it would improve the image of the town centre.

Councillor Mellor had been involved in the regeneration of the building over many years and supported the proposed application.

Comments from Councillor Michael Rutherford both as Ward Member and Chairman of Renewal, Recreation and Housing Policy Development Scrutiny Committee, in support of the application were reported and circulated to Members.

A letter dated 10 December 2018 from Bob Neill MP in support of the application had been received and circulated to Members.

It was reported that a late submission with photographs from the applicant had been received and circulated to Members and that Highways Division had no objections to the application.

The Chairman and Councillor Terry supported the application that would benefit the town at a time when it faced many challenges.

Councillor Michael had visited the site twice in the last six months and reported that works to the restoration had commenced and she supported the application.

Councillor William Huntington-Thresher supported the application and suggested a condition be imposed that the rear building should not be occupied until the Grade II Listed Building had been restored.

Councillors Tony Owen and Keith Onslow both supported the application that would generate employment, had good transport links and would bring people into the town.

Comments in support of the application had been received from Councillor Nicholas Bennett JP, as the Council’s Design and Heritage Champion, and circulated to Members.  Councillor Bennett had visited the site and seen the plans for the restoration of the building and, in his view, it would be a sympathetic restoration of the late Victorian building that would undo the damage to the interior by previous owners to enable the fine and important building to be brought back into use after a number of years of neglect.

Members having considered the report, objections and representations, RESOLVED that LISTED BUILDING CONSENT be GRANTED as recommended, subject to the conditions set out in the report of the Chief Planner.