Development of GradeII listed building

[Shelagh]

We have a grade II listed building in the village which has been bought by an outdoor activities company and they are planning a £7,000,000 development on the site. It is only 20 acres but they have plans to cram it with 500 young adverturers, quad bikes, zip wires, etc. unfortunately it looks as if they will get planning consent even though many of the stuctures will tower over the building in height. They are also planning to add an indoor swimming pool and many other activities. On one hand it is good to have some one who can spend the money on the house but on the other it detracts from the dignity of the house. We are trying to get them to scale down their plans so as to be more sympathetic to the environment, not to mention the bats and crested newts! but to no avail any suggestions would be welcome

 

[Penners]

We have a grade II listed building

Are you saying that the company has bought your listed building, or simply a listed building in your village?

I'm guessing the latter.

There are people on this forum who know a huge amount more about this kind of thing than I do, but I suppose your first port of call should be to check that the company has applied for, and received, listed building consent for everything that they plan to do. If they have, then I suspect that your only recourse will be gather together as many of your fellow villagers as possible (particularly the immediate neighbours of the building) and lodge an appeal against the consent. I wonder whether the plans break the widely held principle that any development of a listed building should be subservient to the building itself?

The problem that you will probably have is the potential inflow of money and business that the project will bring to the village. This is likely to generate a substantial support group for the project both in the community and in the local authority.

 

[shelli]

and storm the gates of the house with pitchforks and flaming torches yelling protest chants - go on, it's the medieval way!

 

[Shelagh]

Sorry, yes the house is not mine. I meant to say I live in the same village. The Parish Council are debating it next week though I am not too sure what powers the Parish Council has.

 

[Penners]

This may sound cynical, but how many local businesspeople are on the PC?

 

[Anita]

As far as I am aware, the parish council don't have any clout in the actual decision making process - they can only make a recomendation as to whether they think consent should be given.

 

[worms]

I don't know how this works in England, but I would imagine the bats and the crested newts might be your strongest allies (at least in terms of the area outside of the building)! Who is the English equivalent of Scottish Natural Heritage, is it English Nature? They will surely be statutory consultees in any planning decisions?

 

[Penners]

I would imagine the bats and the crested newts might be your strongest allies

Good thought. I'm sure if you look hard enough you'll be able to find a colony of crested newts on the land.



A wide selection of crested newts in a range of fashionable colours are available from:
The Penners Crested Newt Company
Newtown