Sixth form centre at Lydiard House Lydiard Park Access Road Lydiard Tregoze, Swindon

What was proposed

The application sought to change part of Lydiard House into a sixth form centre and carry out repairs and alterations.

“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.”

Officer report

The site and existing use

The building is a Grade I listed heritage asset and has an authorised conference centre use.

“…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).”

“In relation to the comments referring to the Public Sector Equality Duty, as detailed in the report it is acknowledged that the building does not have a lift. It must also be acknowledged though that the building is currently in public usage (without a lift) and that the inclusion of such would have a heritage impact…”

Officer report

Officers’ assessment

Officers said the proposal would support health and safety, maintenance, viable use of an under-used area and sixth form provision.

“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

What people said

Supporters said the scheme would safeguard the house and improve education, while objectors challenged its heritage, museum, access and traffic effects.

“The proposals will safeguard Lydiard House and prevent it falling into disrepair and under-utilisation. • Lydiard House and Lydiard Park host a diverse range of uses currently, meaning that the setting is well positioned to accommodate the proposed 6 th form provision at Lydiard House. • The conference facilities at Lydiard House are now largely redundant, in light of the shift towards hybrid working and meetings.”

“The proposals would lead to a significant intensification of the use of the site and would disturb the tranquillity of Lydiard House and Park. • The house was not designed to be used to provide education, and disabled access will always be compromised as a consequence. • The proposals will allow 6 th formers to park their cars at the site, which increases the risk of accidents in the vicinity of the house, and in the wider park.”

Minutes

Who spoke

A ward councillor, the agent, supporters, objectors, parish councillors and a cabinet member addressed the committee.

The committee’s debate

Officers answered questions about accessible rooms, explaining that ground-floor rooms would be adapted and similar access issues applied to the conference centre.

“The responses provided by officers to questions raised as part of the Members only discussion can be broadly summarised as follows:”

“There are rooms on the ground floor of Lydiard House currently that will be adapted to serve as accessible rooms for the proposed 6 th form provision. The current conference centre use requires the same considerations to be given to accessibility.”

Minutes

The vote

A refusal proposal was not put to the vote because it had no seconder; a permission proposal was supported by eight councillors, with one opposed.

“Councillor Matthew Courtliff proposed that planning permission be refused, on the basis that the proposals were contrary to the NPFF Sections 207 and 208. There was no seconder for the proposal and, consequently, the proposal was not put to the vote.”

“Councillor Gary Sumner proposed that planning permission 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 decision

Planning permission was granted subject to the conditions set out in the case officer’s report.

“Resolved – That planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions set out in the Case Officer’s report. 72.”

Minutes