Two heat pumps and door at 9 Short Brackland, Bury St Edmunds

“Planning permission is sought for the installation of two air source heat pump systems to serve Flat 1 and Flat 2 at 9 Short Brackland, together with the replacement of the front door. The air source heat pump installations would be positioned within the garden area serving the relevant flat.”

“The existing modern six-panel front door, which is an unsympathetic addition, would be replaced with a four-panel door more typical of a mid- to late-19th-century dwelling.”

“The application site is within the settlement boundary of Bury St Edmunds, accessed via Well Street. The site currently comprises a detached two- storey building subdivided into two flats at ground and first floor on Short Brackland, within the Bury St Edmunds Town Centre Conservation Area. No. 9 is not listed and is not within close proximity to any listed buildings or protected trees.”

“DC/25/1375/P3CMA Prior approval application under Part 3 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 - change of use from commercial, business and service (class E) to two dwellings (class C3) Prior Approval Required & Granted 5 November 2025”

“The proposal comprises two air source heat pumps and a replacement front door. The heat pumps would replace the existing gas heating system with renewable heating technology, supporting the aims of Policy LP6. The proposed four-panel timber front door would replace a less sympathetic modern six-panel door. As such, the development proposed aligns with policy LP6 and national policy.”

“The air source heat pump serving Flat 1, a Mitsubishi PUZ-WM60VAA 6kW unit, would be located within the garden area closest to 9 Short Brackland, adjacent to the existing brick boundary wall. The air source heat pump serving Flat 2, a Mitsubishi PUZ-WM85VAA 8.5kW unit, would be positioned within the rear garden area furthest from the dwelling, also adjacent to the existing brick boundary wall and separated from Flat 1 by a close-boarded fence.”

“No. 9 is a former detached Victorian red brick house within the Town Centre Conservation Area of Bury St Edmunds, which is covered by an Article 4 direction that withdraws certain permitted development rights from properties to protect the character of the Conservation Area from unsympathetic alterations. Its design is mirrored in No. 10, which sits on the north side of the entrance to Lawsons Yard, and the pair form a gateway into the yard. No.”

“Based on information received and subject to any Conservation Area and Article 4 issues Bury St Edmunds Town Council recommends APPROVAL”

“This application was referred to the Development Control Committee as West Suffolk Council was the applicant.”

“Councillor Jon London proposed that the application be approved, as per the Officer recommendation, and this was duly seconded by Councillor Marilyn Sayer.”

“Upon being put to the vote and with the vote being unanimous, it was resolved that…”

“Planning permission be GRANTED subject to the following conditions:”