Listed building alterations at 10 Park Town, Oxford

What was proposed

The application proposed extensions, enlarged lightwells, a platform lift, repairs, window upgrades and internal changes, including combining two basement flats.

“Proposal Enlargement of front and rear lightwells; platform lift to front lightwell. Demolition of ground floor rear conservatory and ground floor side lean-to. Erection of a part single, part two storey rear and side extensions, including basement extension. Alterations and upgrades to fenestration throughout, including replacement windows. External alterations and repair works to roof, masonry, rainwater goods and fenestration. Alterations and repairs to boundary walls.”

Officer report

The site and its heritage

10 Park Town is a Grade II listed Italianate house within Park Town and the North Oxford Victorian Suburb Conservation Area.

“LEGAL AGREEMENT 3.1. This application is not subject to a legal agreement. 4. COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE LEVY (CIL) 4.1. The proposal is not liable for CIL. 5. SITE AND SURROUNDINGS 5.1. The application site is located to the east of Banbury Road, within the planned estate of Park Town and the North Oxford Victorian Suburb Conservation Area (NOVSCA).”

Officer report

Earlier changes and applications

The property has previously been used as a school, orphanage, dwelling and flats, with listed building and other applications recorded since 1987.

“The home was originally built by and for a prominent local builder, James Gardiner, and since its construction has seen a number of uses, including use as a school, an orphanage, and was later associated with the prominent Photographer, Sarah Acland, for whom a blue plaque has been sited on the building.”

“On the south-western side of the site a new glass-covered lightwell is proposed, while enlargements are proposed to two existing lightwells on the eastern side of the site. These lightwells would include access and would be enclosed by new railings. An access lift is also proposed to be installed within the lightwell at the front of the property. 6.6.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because limited heritage harm would be mitigated and outweighed by accessibility, energy, maintenance and continued-use benefits.

“The main dwelling, occupying the ground, first and second and third floors, is also proposed to be altered through external works including the demolition of an existing lean-to and conservatory, and the erection of a two-storey side and rear extension, the erection of a replacement single-storey rear extension, alterations to the rear dormer, and the replacement and upgrading of the existing windows.”

“Whilst Officers have identified that aspects of the proposals would result in a low level of less than substantial harm to the special interest of the listed building 10 Park Town which forms part of the group listing of 1-47 and 49-64 Park Town, each harmful intervention has been sufficiently mitigated by the reversal of previous unsympathetic interventions and appropriate design choices, clearly and convincingly justified, and there would be sufficient public benefits…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Speakers addressed the committee against and in favour of the application.

What members discussed

Members questioned the proposal, including whether enlarged lightwells would harm the basement’s character or the building’s overall architectural significance.

“The Committee asked questions about the details of the application which were responded to by officers and the applicant. The Committee’s discussions included, but were not limited to: • Concerns about enlarging lightwells were addressed by officers, who clarified this would result in only a low level of less than substantial harm to the basements character and would not detract from the buildings overall architectural significance.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The committee agreed with the officer recommendation to approve the application for the reasons in the report.

“On being proposed, seconded, and put to the vote, the Committee agreed with the officer’s recommendation to approve the application for the reasons listed on the report.”

Minutes

The final decision

The committee approved the application, granted listed building consent subject to conditions and delegated authority to finalise those conditions.

“The Oxford City Planning Committee resolved to: 1. Approve the application for the reasons given in the report and subject to the required listed building conditions set out in section 12 of this report and grant listed building consent. 2.”

Minutes