Temporary structural props at Butterfly House Williamson Park, Lancaster
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Lancaster Planning Regulatory Committee on 27 Jul 2026.
What was proposed
The application sought retrospective listed building consent for temporary structural props enclosing the pediment of the Butterfly House for two years.
“PROPOSAL 3.1 The application seeks listed building consent for the installation of temporary structural propping to the pediment of the Butterfly House. The works have now been completed, and as such, the application is now retrospective.”
“The proposed intervention comprises the installation of temporary props between the pediment and the portico roof to provide structural stability. The structural arrangement includes steel angles fixed to existing roof joists, timber props, timber runners, and associated base plates and fixings. The temporary propping is to be enclosed in exterior-grade plywood boxing, painted white, in order to reduce its visual prominence.”
Officer report
The site and heritage setting
The Butterfly House is a Grade II listed building in a public park, conservation area and registered park and garden, near the Ashton Memorial.
“The Butterfly House / Palm House is a Grade II listed building. It is located within the Williamson Park Conservation Area and within Ashton Memorial Gardens and Williamson Park Registered Park and Garden. The building also lies within the setting of the Ashton Memorial, a Grade I listed building within the park.”
“The wider park is of high heritage sensitivity due to the presence of multiple designated heritage assets, including the listed Butterfly House, the listed Ashton Memorial, the Williamson Park Conservation Area and the Registered Park and Garden.”
Officer report
What officers recommended
Officers recommended approval with conditions for the Council application, which was reported to committee because it fell outside delegated powers.
“This application is reported to Planning Committee because it falls outside the Council’s Scheme of Delegation as the application is made by the Council and has an interest in the land.”
Officer report
The committee vote
A proposal to approve the application subject to the committee report conditions received 13 votes in favour, none against and no abstentions.
“That the application be approved subject to the conditions in the Committee Report.”
“Upon being put to the vote, 13 Councillors voted in favour of the proposal with none against and no abstentions, whereupon the Chair declared the proposal to have been carried.”
Minutes
What was decided
The committee approved the application subject to conditions including temporary two-year consent and development in accordance with approved plans.
“That the application be approved subject to the following conditions:”
“Temporary 2-year consent. 2. Development in accordance with Approved Plans.”
Minutes
Sources
- Lancaster Planning Regulatory Committee minutes, 27 July 2026
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Lancaster's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Council
- Lancaster
- Date
- Monday 27 July 2026
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended approval
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Vote
- 13 for, 0 against
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- View application →
- All decisions
- Lancaster committee decisions →
Source: Plota analysis of the minutes.
This committee's year
55 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 3 against officer advice.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.