Paint removal method change at Nicholson Institute, Leek

What was proposed

The application sought to replace walnut shell blasting with DOFF steam cleaning for removing paint from internal brickwork.

“DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSAL 3.1 Listed building consent was granted under reference SMD/2025/0225 for various alterations mainly to the lower ground floor of the building. The applicant now wishes to change one aspect of work relating to the method for cleaning the internal brickwork from the agreed walnut shot blasting to DOFF cleaning system. The application is accompanied by a revised Design and Access Statement to reflect this change…”

Officer report

The site

The Nicholson Institute is a Grade II* listed building within the Leek Conservation Area.

“The applications relate to the Nicholson Institute in Leek, a Grade II * Listed building well known to Members. The site also lies within the Leek Conservation Area…”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Earlier listed building consent applications for refurbishment, maintenance and porch alterations were approved.

“SMD/2025/0348 Listed Building Consent for alterations to modern porch enclosure to form separate accesses for Arts Studios and College. Approved…”

“SMD/2025/0225 Listed building consent for various refurbishment works, including internal refurbishment throughout and limited external repairs. Approved…”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended approval because the proposed method was acceptable and would preserve the building’s special architectural and historic interest.

“The Conservation Officer’s full response is set out above. She has seen a sample panel of the proposed new cleaning method on site. She advises that this demonstrates that this would be a sensitive way to remove the modern paintwork without damaging the face of the brickwork. She advises that the works would not harm the fabric of the Listed Building and would better reveal its architectural interest as well as removing modern inappropriate later alterations.”

“The proposed paint removal method is acceptable. It preserves the special architectural and historic interest of the Listed Building and is accordance with Policy DC2 and the NPPF”

Officer report

Heritage impact

A sample panel showed that DOFF cleaning could remove modern paint without damaging brickwork and would better reveal architectural interest.

“The proposal seeks to vary the internal brick cleaning method to the lower ground floor of the building. The details were previously agreed to be walnut shot blasting under approved listed building consent (ref: SMD/2025/0225). This application seeks to alter this cleaning method to DOFF cleaning system.”

“A sample panel of the proposed new cleaning method has been viewed on site and showed that this would be a sensitive way to remove the modern paintwork without damaging the face of the brickwork. The works would not harm the fabric of the Listed Building and would better reveal its architectural interest as well as removing modern inappropriate later alterations.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Leek Town Council had no objection, no neighbour objections were received, and the conservation officer raised no objection to the variation.

“Press Notice expired Site Notice expires 3 nd August Neighbours notified by letter. No letters of objection received…”

“Conclusions and Recommendations The proposal would not alter the level of impact on the special interest and significance of the Listed Building previously identified. There would be no objections to the proposed variation from a conservation perspective. We would recommend the conditions are varied to reflect the updated information in par. 3.3.1, 3.3.2 and 3.3.3 of the revised Design and Access Statement.”

Officer report

Who spoke

There were no registered speakers for the application.

Committee decision

The committee granted delegated authority to approve the application, subject to no new substantive issues being raised by 3 August 2026.

“1) That Delegated Authority be granted to the Head of Development Services in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee to Approve the Section 19 application relating to Listed Building Consent SMD/2025/0225 subject to no new and substantive issues being raised on or before 3rd August 2026 and for the reasons and based on the policies contained within the report;”

“2) That in the event of any changes being needed to the wording of the Committee’s decision (such as to delete, vary or add conditions / informatives / planning obligations or reasons for approval / refusal) prior to the decision being issued, the Head of Development Services be delegated authority to do so in consultation with the Chair of the Committee, provided thar the changes do not exceed the substantive nature of the Committee’s decision.”

Minutes

Approval conditions

The approval required the works to follow the approved documents and specified methods for cleaning, conservation and refurbishment works.

“Prior to any cleaning of the masonry to the staircase being carried out, details of the method of cleaning shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. A test panel of cleaning shall then be undertaken in accordance with the agreed cleaning method and in a position to be agreed with the Local Planning Authority.”

“4.Before any works to the windows are commenced, a detailed condition survey and pecification of refurbishment works to the windows affected shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The works shall thereafter be carried out only in accordance with the approved details. Reason: To preserve the special architectural and historic interest of the Listed Building.”

Officer report