Agenda item

Planning application for demolition of former Sun Inn hotel and 37Market Street, construction of hotel (use class C1) and restaurant (use class A3); alterations to and demolition of rear part of 27 Market Street and change of use to allow A1,A2,A3,A4 and A5 uses at ground floor; alterations to and demolition of rear part of 29 Market Street; alterations to 35 Market Street and change of use to allow A1,A2,A3,A4 and A5 uses; alterations to 3,7,11 and 5,9,13 North Street and demolition of outbuilding to rear; works to expand and reconfigure car park; landscaping, access and associated works. Sun Inn Hotel 1 North Street Gainsborough 

And

Listed building consent for demolition of 37 Market Street, alterations to and partial demolition of 29 Market Street and works of alteration to 35 Market Street, Gainsborough.

Note Councillor Smith left the meeting for consideration of the following item.

Planning application for demolition of former Sun Inn hotel and 37Market Street, construction of hotel (use class C1) and restaurant (use class A3); alterations to and demolition of rear part of 27 Market Street and change of use to allow A1,A2,A3,A4 and A5 uses at ground floor; alterations to and demolition of rear part of 29 Market Street; alterations to 35 Market Street and change of use to allow A1,A2,A3,A4 and A5 uses; alterations to 3,7,11 and 5,9,13 North Street and demolition of outbuilding to rear; works to expand and reconfigure car park; landscaping, access and associated works.

The Principal Development Management Officer updated the Committee that Historic England and also the Victorian Society had maintained their previously notified objections, having been consulted on revised drawings.  Condition 9 would require updating to reflect the revised plans submitted, and also an additional condition on the planning application to secure the recording of archaeological finds, as recommended by LCC Archaeology.

It was clarified that the Listed Building Consent was a separate application and would require to be determined individually, for referral to the Secretary of State, if agreed.

Clarification was also given on the relationship between North Street (Gainsborough) Limited and WLDC and it was confirmed that WLDC did not have an interest in the company making the application

Three people were in attendance to speak in support of the application.  Dave Hale of Dransfield Properties gave assurance of the commitment to Gainsborough and described the work over many years to redevelop the site to a hotel, an Italian restaurant, with improvements to the car park and shops.  This was a key site and a gateway to the town centre, and the proposals were supported by local businesses and residents, with a potential economic benefit to the town.

Richard Kane, Chairman of Gainsborough Trinity FC, which played in the Conference North league, described the need for a hotel to accommodate visiting teams and supporters, instead of having to direct visitors to Lincoln or Scunthorpe.  The site was currently an eyesore and the proposed development for a high quality scheme was welcomed, and would benefit the visitor economy.

David Milles, Director of Hexadex, a subsidiary of Eminox, a multi-national company, also welcomed the creation of a hotel to accommodate visitors and business colleagues from overseas.

Members debated the application and agreed that the proposals would be of major significance in their benefit to Gainsborough and the wider economy, improving what was currently a derelict and unattractive site.  The development would create 72 jobs and avoid directing visitors and losing local investment to Scunthorpe and Lincoln.  There was a need to reinforce the message that Gainsborough was ‘Open for Business’.  It was generally felt that the scheme would provide for a much improved development over the planning permission that is already in place (also for a hotel) and that the public merits were such that they outweighed the current Sun Inn’s worth as  a heritage asset worthy of preserving. It was also felt that the proposals would complement the Court Building opposite and provide significant improvements to a key gateway to the town centre.  It was agreed that the revised design was even better than that previously approved.

The recommendation to approve the planning application was moved, seconded and voted upon and it was AGREED that planning permission be GRANTED with the additional conditions as noted earlier and set out below.

Condition 9 to read:

9. With the exception of the detailed matters referred to by the conditions of this permission, the development hereby approved shall be carried out in accordance with the following drawings:

·         8315s/101L – Proposed Site Layout;

·         8315s/102K – Proposed Ground & First Floor Plans;

·         8315s/103E – Proposed Second & Third Floor Plans;

·         8315s/104E – Fourth Floor Plan / Roof Plan;

·         8315s/105N – Proposed Elevations;

·         8315s/108A – Proposed Boundary Wall;

·         8315s/109A – Proposed Demolition Plan;

·         8315s/111 – Proposed Wall Setting Out Plan;

·         8315s/128A – Proposed Street Elevations;

·         8315s/sk113K – 27 Market Street Proposed Ground & First Floor Plans;

·         8315s/sk115J – 27 Market Street Proposed Elevations;

·         8315s/sk123J – 35 Market Street Proposed Floor Plans and Elevations;

·         8315s/sk138H – 29 Market Street Proposed Ground & First Floor Plans;

·         8315s/sk140F – 29 Market Street Proposed Elevations;

·         0620-1 REV D Indicative Landscape Plan.

The works shall be carried out in accordance with the details shown on the approved plans and in any other approved documents forming part of the application.

Reason: To ensure the development proceeds in accordance with the approved plans in order to accord with the provisions of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan.

Insert new Conditions (on the planning permission only):

Condition [X]:No development (other than demolition) shall take place until a written scheme of archaeological investigation has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. This scheme shall include the following:

i. An assessment of significance and proposed mitigation strategy (i.e. preservation by record, preservation in situ or a mix of these elements).

ii. A methodology and timetable of site investigation and recording.

iii. Provision for site analysis.

iv. Provision for publication and dissemination of analysis and records.

v. Provision for archive deposition.

vi. Nomination of a competent person/organisation to undertake the work.

vii. The scheme to be in accordance with the Lincolnshire Archaeological Handbook.

The archaeological site work shall be undertaken only in full accordance with the written scheme. Following the archaeological site work a written report of the findings of the work shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority within 3 months of the said site work being completed.

Reason: To ensure the preparation and implementation of an appropriate scheme of archaeological mitigation and in accordance with the National

Condition [Y]:The local planning authority shall be notified in writing of the intention to commence the archaeological investigations in accordance with the approved written scheme referred to in condition [X] at least 14 days before the said commencement. No variation shall take place without prior written consent of the local planning authority.

Reason: In order to facilitate the appropriate monitoring arrangements and to ensure the satisfactory archaeological investigation and retrieval of archaeological finds in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework (2012).

Listed building consent for demolition of 37 Market Street, alterations to and partial demolition of 29 Market Street and works of alteration to 35 Market Street.  Sun Inn Hotel, 1 North Street, Gainsborough.

Robert Barnes, Planning Prospects, addressed the meeting on the Listed Building proposals.  Whilst supporting the preservation of listed buildings and heritage assets Mr Barnes agreed with the sentiments expressed by the Planning Committee that the public benefits of the proposed application outweighed any reasons to preserve the building.

It was then moved, seconded and voted upon and AGREED to notify the Secretary of State of the intention to grant listed building consent, subject to conditions.

Note Councillor Smith returned to the meeting.