Agenda item

Demolish existing rear extensions and erect new two storey extension and internal alterations to main

LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Elin Walker Jones

Link to relevant background documents

DECISION: To approve the application subject to the following conditions:

1.         5 years

2.         In accordance with the plans.

3.         Heneb conditions

4.         Details of secondary glazing to be agreed beforehand

5.         Agree to reuse materials from the building to be demolished

6.         Aluminium rainwater goods

7.         Specifications of solar panels

8.         Details of any lights to be agreed

9.         Details of any signs to be agreed

10.       Details of the screen by the stairs to be submitted before its installation

11.       Details of how the footprint of the gym will be recorded must be submitted before its demolition

12.       Submit samples of the materials

13.       Use of lime with any pointing/rendering work

Listed building application to demolish rear extensions and erect a new two-storey extension along with internal alterations to the main building.

a)         The Planning Manager highlighted that part of the main building, which is visible from Ffriddoedd Road, was a very impressive two-storey building made of stone and built around 1899. It was reported that evidence existed which showed that the school evolved and developed over time, and by the 1940s this was the building that existed - a grade II listed building. It was noted that two other separate buildings formed part of the site, but they did not form part of the application.

The proposal was to demolish the two-storey rear section added in the 1930s and erect a new modern two-storey extension to enable teaching rooms to be brought up to modern standards. The extension would be finished with a mix of light grey/red brick and red aluminium cladding. The front elevation, which was the southern elevation facing Ffriddoedd Road, would remain as it is, as this was the original part. On the western side of the main building, it is proposed to remove the existing car port and remove mechanical ventilation equipment from the roof and install new vents.

In the context of internal adaptations, it was proposed to remove a lot of modern work that had been added over time, close existing openings and open new ones, remove false ceilings, install new party walls, remove the internal wall but retain the parts on the side, repair the windows, as well as remove modern plaster from the walls. Several original doors also existed, and the intention was to preserve and reuse these.

Information was submitted as part of the application which highlighted that part of the building that was intended for demolition was quite contemporary with the main building, however, due to a significant lack of maintenance over time, it was noted that this part was in a poor condition and the size and space of the rooms were unsuitable for the University's requirements as a lecture hall. Although an extensive record had been made of the building, with the rear sections being important to the development and history of the site, it was elaborated that it was not possible to convert these for lecture use and it was considered that their demolition and providing a more suitable space would provide a long-term future for the site. It was also noted that an effort had been made to re-use the materials from the part that was to be demolished and retain the gymnasium footprint on the floor within the new extension to preserve the evidence of the location. The internal work would mean removing modern unsuitable features and restoring the building's typical and historical elements.

It was explained that the extension was of a modern design which suited the design and colour finish features of the main building; the plan from the front elevation showed parts of the new extension being visible, and following receiving additional information that considered the nature of the land raising up from the main road, the extension would not be visible from the front. Despite being visible from the other sides, it was considered that this would be acceptable in terms of seeing the building in its entirety and the extension would not take away from the appearance or the importance of the main building, but instead, it would show the evolution of the building over time, as had happened with the building's historic extensions.

Given the importance and the significant weight on the statutory duty to retain the listed building, the significance of the asset, the extent of the damage, justification for the work, and the public benefits, the Officers had noted that the proposed development represented a just and proportionate intervention and complied with local and national planning policies. ⁠They recommended to approve the application with conditions.

b)         Taking advantage of the right to speak, the Local Member noted that she was supportive of the application

c)         It was proposed and seconded to approve the application

RESOLVED to approve the application subject to the following conditions: 

1.         5 years

2.         In accordance with the plans

3.         Heneb conditions

4.         Details of secondary glazing to be agreed beforehand

5.         Agree to reuse materials from the building to be demolished

6.         Aluminium rainwater goods

7.         Specifications of solar panels

8.         Details of any lights to be agreed

9.         Details of any signs to be agreed

10.       Details of the screen by the stairs to be submitted before its installation

11.       Details of how the footprint of the gym will be recorded must be submitted before its demolition

12.       Submit samples of the materials

13.       Use of lime with any pointing/rendering work