Flood barriers at Robert Harvey House, Cheltenham

The site

Robert Harvey House is a five-storey retirement housing building with 37 flats in the Old Town Character Area of the conservation area.

“DESCRIPTION OF SITE AND PROPOSAL 1.1 The application site refers to a five-storey rendered building that accommodates flats for retirement housing. It is situated within the residential area of Pittville ward and falls within the Old Town Character Area of the Cheltenham Central Conservation Area. Robert Harvey House is a Sheltered Accommodation building of 37 self-contained flats located on Winchcombe Street, close to the town centre.”

“Constraints: Airport Safeguarding over 45m Conservation Area Principal Urban Area Residents Associations Smoke Control Order…”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier permissions and decisions concerned a lime tree, a replacement communal landing roof and roof lights.

“Relevant Planning History: 06/01339/CACN 25th September 2006 NOOBJ Fell lime tree in front of property 08/01691/FUL 2nd March 2009 PER Replacement roof over communal landings 08/01732/CAC 19th January 2009 NOTREQ Removal of existing powder coated aluminium dome roof lights to roof over communal landings and replace with powder coated aluminium ridge and hipped roof over communal landings…”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

The barriers would address surface water flooding, provide positive drainage and have negligible visual, heritage and neighbouring amenity effects.

“The proposal includes the installation of three units of demountable flood barriers and supporting rail fixings at the doorway and porch areas of the lower ground floor of the building. The development will be supported by ancillary ground and drainage work. The property is observed to suffer from surface water flooding from the adjacent highway.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Building Control and the Civic Society made no comment on the application.

“Building Control 16th March 2026 - No comment.”

“Cheltenham Civic Society 24th March 2026 - 26/00240/FUL|Install rail fixings and groundwork for demountable flood barriers in the 3x lower ground floor doorway porch areas.|Robert Harvey House Winchcombe Street Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL52 2NL https://publicaccess.cheltenham.gov.uk/online- applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=TAAH79EL08300”

Officer report

Neighbour responses

Letters were sent to 55 neighbouring land users, but no response or objection was received.

“Notification letters were sent to 55 neighbouring land users, along with a site notice and a publication in the local newspaper. No response has been received from the publicity process. OFFICER COMMENTS 6.1 Determining Issues 6.2 The key planning considerations in relation to this application are design and impact on neighbouring amenities and designated heritage assets and risk of flooding. Consideration will also be given to climate change and sustainability.”

Officer report

Public speakers

There were no public speakers, while officers answered members’ questions about ownership, flooding and who would install the barriers.

Member debate

Members were disappointed that permission was needed and felt property owners should be able to install flood defences without permission.

“The matter then went to Member debate where the following points were made: - Disappointing that this needs to come to committee, feel that property owners should be able to install flood defences without permission, even in conservation areas.”

Minutes