Four sash windows at 6 Grosvenor Mansions, Broad Walk, Buxton

The site and its setting

The apartment is within a prominent Grade II listed terrace villa overlooking the Pavilion Gardens in the Buxton Central Conservation Area.

“The application site refers an apartment which is situated within the Grade II Listed Grosvenor Mansions villa which comprises part of a row of 3 terrace villas which have since been converted into apartments. The building comprises 3 storeys plus, an attic and basement.”

“Grosvenor Mansion is a prominent building along Broad Walk overlooking the Pavilion Gardens. The building contributes positively to the character and appearance of the Buxton Central Conservation Area and contributes to the distinctive character of the Broad Walk Street scene, which is lined with large villas.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier applications for repairing and restoring all sash windows were refused and their appeals were dismissed.

“HPK/2022/0399: Full Planning Permission for repair and restoration of all sash windows (Refused and Appeal dismissed)”

“HPK/2022/0400: Listed Building Consent for repair and restoration of all sash windows (Refused and Appeal dismissed…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended refusal because the glazing would lose historic fabric, alter the building’s appearance and harm heritage significance without adequate public benefits.

“The proposed works would result in the loss of historic fabric through the replacement of historic glazing which is not of an appropriate design. The installation of double glazing to only four windows will alter the external appearance of the building, as a whole. Moreover, insufficient information has been provided detailing the proposed refurbishment of the windows frames and whether the existing frames would be capable of supporting double glazing.”

“The proposed works would result in the loss of historic fabric through the replacement of historic glazing which is not of an appropriate design. The installation of double glazing to only four windows will alter the external appearance of the building, as a whole. Moreover, insufficient information has been provided detailing the proposed refurbishment of the windows frames and whether the existing frames would be capable of supporting double glazing.”

Officer report

Consultation and public comments

Five public comments supported the applications, while the Conservation Officer objected and the Highway Authority raised no objection.

“A total of five public comments have been received across both applications all in support of the applications…”

“There appears to be no material impact on the public highway and therefore the Local Highway Authority (LHA) has no further comments to make.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A ward councillor spoke in support, and the applicant’s representative also addressed the committee.

What members considered

Members discussed visual amenity, maintaining the heritage building for modern living, energy efficiency, Historic England regulations and differing glazing along Broad Walk.

“During the debate members considered matters related to visual amenity together with the need to keep the Heritage building maintained to modern living standards and to compliment the HPBC Climate Change Emergency. Reference was also made to the Historic England 2024 Regulations and the inconsistency of the current glazing of the properties along Broadwalk.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the application because draft proofing was not considered significantly harmful and modern living and energy efficiency outweighed potential conservation-area harm.

“That the application be approved for the following reasons:”

“The installation of new draft proofing will not significantly harm the visual amenity of the conservation area; and • The need to ensure that the dwelling is maintained to modern living standards and is energy efficient outweighs any potential harm to the conservation area.”

Minutes

Conditions and delegated wording

The decision wording was delegated, with heritage double glazing required and removed glass to be retained or preserved.

“Heritage double glazing to be utilised within the replacement units; and • Removed glass to be retained/preserved.”

“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 that the changes do not exceed the substantive nature of the Committee’s decision.”

Minutes