Listed building alterations at Lydiard House Lydiard Park Access Road Lydiard Tregoze, Swindon

What was proposed

The application sought alteration and repair works to facilitate part of Lydiard House becoming a sixth-form centre.

“Proposal: S/26/0091: Change of use of part of Lydiard House to a Sixth Form Centre and proposed repair/alterations to accommodate such a provision.”

“S/LBC/26/0092: Alteration and repair works to facilitate change of use of part of Lydiard House to a Sixth Form Centre.”

Officer report

The heritage setting

The works concerned a Grade I listed building, with officers giving greater weight to its significance as an important heritage asset.

“As detailed within the committee reports, the significance of the heritage asset is set out through the heritage listing and reason for designation.”

“…asset the greater the weight should be. Officers can confirm that the necessary weighing exercise has considered the significance of this designated heritage asset as a grade 1 listed building (i.e. attributed more weight than an asset of ‘lesser’ importance).”

Officer report

Officers’ assessment

Officers considered the works justified by health and safety, upgraded fittings, maintenance, viable use and provision of a sixth-form facility.

“In terms of justification for the proposals, this is in relation to health and safety and upgrading existing fittings. The ongoing maintenance, resulting from the regular viable use, inherently benefits the fabric of the building plus the provision of a sixth form facility.”

“With regard to ‘optimum viable use’ the proposals will allow for the viable use of a currently under-used element of the building allowing for the future safeguarding of it. In terms of exploring other options it must be considered that building a new 6 th…”

Officer report

Objections raised

An objector challenged the heritage assessment, alternatives, public benefits, accessibility and the protection of museum and historic features.

“Yet the report repeatedly asserts that public benefits outweigh the harm to this Grade I heritage asset. It offers no analysis of the penalties and risks of split-site delivery (including curriculum continuity, safeguarding, and SEND inclusion), no demonstration that the claimed benefits could not be achieved elsewhere, and no evidence that educational outcomes would fail if Lydiard House were not used.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Michael Gray spoke as an objector, and no additional submissions supporting the application were made for this item.

Members’ decision discussion

Councillors Gary Sumner and Abdul Amin proposed and seconded granting consent subject to the case officer’s conditions.

“Councillor Gary Sumner proposed that listed building consent be granted, subject to the conditions set out in the Case Officer’s report. Councillor Abdul Amin seconded the proposal. Eight Councillors were in favour of the proposal, and one was opposed.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

Listed building consent was granted subject to the conditions set out in the case officer’s report.

“Resolved – That listed building consent be granted, subject to the conditions set out in the Case Officer’s report. 73.”

Minutes