Restaurant and lounge bar at The Tower House, 2 Carlisle Road, Eastbourne

What was proposed

The application proposed changing the former Heritage Centre into a restaurant and lounge bar, with extensions, alterations, landscaping and plant.

“The application seeks full planning permission and listed building consent for the change of use of the existing building from a museum (Use Class F1) to a restaurant and lounge bar (sui generis), together with extensions, external alterations and landscaping works.”

“The proposed development would facilitate the re-use of a vacant Grade II listed building through its conversion into a high-quality food and beverage venue. The restaurant would operate across multiple levels of the building, incorporating dining areas, bar/lounge spaces, and ancillary…”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is a prominent corner plot containing a three-storey Grade II listed building within the Town Centre and Seafront Conservation Area.

“The application site hosts a three storey building sited on a prominent triangular corner plot in the Devonshire Park area of Eastbourne. The site is at the intersection between Carlisle Road and Compton Street. The building has a three storey tower with an octagonal form and a lower two storey and basement building. The site sits beneath the ground level of the street and has courtyard areas to the rear and sides.”

“The building is Grade II Listed and located within the Town Centre and Seafront Conservation Area. The site lies within Flood Zone 1 (low risk of fluvial flooding), but is identified as being at risk of surface water flooding and within a Critical Drainage Area.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the proposal acceptable because it would support employment, town-centre vitality, heritage conservation, neighbour amenity, highways, drainage and biodiversity.

“The proposed use is considered acceptable in principle in this town centre location and would support the vitality and viability of the Devonshire Quarter.”

“The proposal would deliver employment generation (equivalent of 14.9 full time equivalent posts) and contribute positively to the local economy, supporting the vitality of the Devonshire Quarter and wider town centre.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The Conservation Officer and highways authority raised no objection, while the Eastbourne Society supported the proposal with detailed suggestions and Historic England made no comment.

“I would like to note the most welcome improved access, which opens areas of the building to groups currently unable to easily enter and use it. As ever, some points of detail niggle and I am supportive of the constructive suggestions made by the Eastbourne Society, the building’s former custodians, on retaining the existing gate, adapting the railing tops to the fleur- de-lys design and making minor changes to the pier tops.”

“This landmark Listed flag tower was saved from demolition by our Society in 1978 who converted it to a Heritage Centre. We thoroughly support the current proposals which will give the building an exciting new use. This is reflected in the contemporary new rear extension. We would also have supported an extension which matched the original building.”

Officer report

Residents’ concerns

Objections covered the area’s character, heritage, parking, refuse, noise, odour, light, loss of the Heritage Centre and restaurant concentration.

“Impact upon the character of the area; • Impact upon the character and significance of the Listed Building; • Parking stress; • Adequacy of refuse arrangements; • Noise and disturbance (in relation to use and plant); • Impact of odour; • Impact of light; • Loss of the Heritage Centre (Museum); • Concentration of restaurant uses within area; • Sustainable adaptive re-use; • Vitality and increased footfall.”

“Objections have been received regarding the loss of the former Heritage Centre and the perceived over-concentration of restaurant uses within the area. The previous use has already ceased and, in the absence of any relevant policy protection or evidence demonstrating continued viability, the planning system cannot require its retention. This matter is therefore afforded limited weight.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A business representative and an objector spoke against the applications, while the agent spoke in support.

The committee vote

The committee unanimously voted to grant planning permission in line with the officer recommendation and addendum conditions.

“Councillor Morris put forward a proposal in line with the officer’s recommendation and the additional conditions set out in the Addendum. This was seconded by Councillor Lamb and was put to a vote and carried. RESOLVED: (unanimously) that the application for planning permission be granted subject to the conditions in the Officer’s report, and the additional recommended conditions outlined the Addendum. ID: 260253 (Listed Building Consent)”

Minutes